READING — The Penn State Berks women's soccer team (4-4-1, 1-0) had their first United East matchup as they took on Cedar Crest College. Berks used six second half goals to cruise to a 7-0 victory over the Falcons on Saturday, September 26.
Zoe Macknicki put Berks in front in the 39th minute, finishing off an assist from
Keira Ollis to make it 1-0. Earlier, the Blue & White opened with steady pressure, getting shots from
Paige Thomas and
Ava Ortiz before earning back-to-back corner kicks and adding attempts from
Danica Aaronson, Thomas and
Maci Laster by the 15th minute. The Nittany Lions continued to keep Cedar Crest under pressure through the middle of the half, with
Stephanie Morales and
Kylee West adding chances while Sarah Parsons made multiple saves. After Macknicki's goal,
Emily Erb forced another save and Morales put a late shot wide, and Berks went into halftime ahead 1-0.
The Nittany Lions scored six times in the second half, turning a 1-0 halftime lead into a 7-0 win over Cedar Crest. Morales scored off assists from Laster at 46:11 and 53:39, and Berks continued to generate chances with early corners and shots from Ortiz,
Anika Carpenter and Laster. Laster added a goal at 61:26, and after Cedar Crest hit the top woodwork moments later, Carpenter scored from
Emily Erb's assist at 65:57 to make it 5-0. The Blue & White kept the pressure on with more shots and a corner before a team goal at 77:21 and Morales' third goal, assisted by Erb, at 81:06 closed the scoring.
Morales recorded a hat trick and led Berks with eight shots, putting six on goal. Laster finished with a goal and two assists while adding four shots, including two on target.
Zoe Macknicki scored the first goal and game-winner on three shots.
Emily Erb added two assists and put one of her two shots on goal.
WHO'S NEXT
Up next, the Nittany Lions host Penn College on Tuesday, Sept. 29, at 5 p.m. at Artificial Turf Athletic Field in Reading, Pennsylvania in United East action.
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