READING — The Penn State Berks women's soccer team (4-4-1, 1-1) completed their sixth straight home contest as they hosted Penn College (6-2-1, 2-0) on Tuesday, September 29 for United East action. The Nittany Lions evened the game early on and cut Penn's lead to two but were unable to complete the comeback as Berks fell 4-2 to the Wildcats.
Berks responded quickly after conceding first, with
Maci Laster scoring at 3:18 to pull the first half level at 1-1 after Camryn Lobb's 2:40 opener for Penn College. Penn College went back in front at 7:10 on Megan Kurian's goal assisted by Lily Persing, leaving the Nittany Lions chasing a 2-1 score. Berks generated a sustained push midway through the half, earning a corner at 21:10 and getting shots from
Victoria McPoyle,
Devon Deery and
Stephanie Morales, with Morales' attempt saved. Penn added to their lead as a Kurian goal at the 31st minute off a Persing assist made it 3-1. Laster and
Ava Ortiz added attempts after that, and
Riley Fisher saved Kurian's 41:33 shot as the Nittany Lions went to halftime trailing 3-1.
The Nittany Lions' biggest second-half response came at 68:34, when Morales scored off a
Zoe Macknicki assist to cut Penn College's lead to 4-2. Earlier, Penn College opened the half with two shots and Lily Persing scored at 52:06 to make it 4-1, but Berks pushed back with a
Paige Thomas shot and corner kicks at 53:47 and 58:18 before Morales' goal. After the goal, the Nittany Lions withstood a Penn College sequence that included two corner kicks and Fisher's save on a Persing shot at 73:17, then Fisher stopped Gianna Gamble's penalty kick at 85:04. Berks late attack was unable to find the back of the net as they fell 4-2 on the night
Laster and Morales added a goal on the night with Macknicki recording an assist. Fisher finished with three saves in goal.
WHO'S NEXT
Up next, Berks will head on the road for the first time since September 9 as they travel to Abington, Pennsylvania, to face Penn State Abington on Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026, at 1 p.m. in United East action.
FOLLOW US
Fans can keep up with Berks Athletics all season long on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook and YouTube using the handle @BerksAthletics.
