READING — The Penn State Berks women's soccer team (9-6-1, 5-2-0) took on Cairn University (8-4-2, 3-3-1) on Wednesday, October 21 in United East action. After falling early in the contest, Berks scored two goals in each half to push themselves to a 4-1 win over the Highlanders and clinching a spot in the United East playoffs.
Berks answered an early Highlander goal with two first-half scores, as
Emily Erb equalized off an
Ava Ortiz assist at 7:01 before
Victoria McPoyle scored at 11:46 to put the Nittany Lions ahead 2-1. Earlier, the Highlander went in front in the fifth minute, but the Blue & White responded almost immediately with a
Stephanie Morales shot that was saved and a corner kick before Erb's finish. Berks continued to create chances after taking the lead, earning another corner at 13:00 and forcing saves on shots by Deery, Morales, Ortiz and
Paige Thomas through the 28th minute. The home side added two late corner kicks and a Deery shot wide in the closing minutes, carrying the 2-1 lead into halftime.
The Blue & White broke open the second half late, as
Zoe Macknicki scored off a
Devon Deery assist at 78:18 and Morales followed with another Deery-assisted goal at 79:28 to move the score from 2-1 to 4-1. Earlier, Berks had to deal with the Highlander's early chances, with
Riley Fisher making saves at 52:59 and 59:57 as the visitors had four shots and a corner in the opening stretch of the half. Berks then created steady chances of its own, putting together eight shots and a corner from 55:41 through 74:00 before the two-goal burst. After the late scoring, Macknicki forced another save in the 82nd minute, and the Nittany Lions finished the match with a 4-1 win.
Deery recorded a season-high three assists on the evening. Erb, McPoyle, Macknicki, and Morales all contributed in the scoring with one goal apiece. Morales still leads the United East conference with 17 goals on the year, a total that ranks third in Division III, as that helps her be fifth in the nation in points with 36. McPoyle's goal earns her the game-winning goal on the day.
WHO'S NEXT
Up next, the Nittany Lions travel to Middletown, Pa., to face Penn State Harrisburg on Saturday, Oct. 24, at 4 p.m. in Berks final regular season game.
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