(CHAMBERSBURG, Pa.) – A
Halley Shaffer (So., Sunbury, Pa. / Delaware Valley) hat trick helped Wilson hurdle over Penn State-Abington in non-conference action on Friday afternoon. The sophomore forward scored two goals in the first nine minutes to spark the Phoenix and propel them to their first win of the season.
The Basics
Score: Wilson 5, Penn State-Abington 3
Venue: Kris's Meadow
Records: Wilson 1-2-1, Penn State-Abington 1-2-0
How It Happened
- Wilson was on the attack from the get-go as Annie Smith (Fy., Hagerstown, Md. / North Hagerstown) and Shaffer had a shot each out of the gate. The Nittany Lions were able to counter after the second as Nayesko Ravelo send a hard kick in, but Rebecca Marakovitz (Jr., New Market, Md. / Linganore) was there for the save.
- From there Smith and Shaffer connected on a counter of their own as Smith found Shaffer breaking up the field and slipping one by the goalie in the sixth minute. Shaffer wasn't done as she broke lose in on a similar play, this time with Bianca Sommers (So., Chambersburg, Pa. / Chambersburg) providing the upfield pass, to beat the goalie once again in the ninth minute.
- Wilson continued to pepper the Abington defense, a scene that took place throughout the day. Four shots followed and two offsides calls had the Phoenix on the brink of a third goal before Smith eventually dodged the Lions' back line and hit paydirt just inside the 20th minute.
- The Phoenix kept the pressure on and extended their lead to 4-0 in the 35th minute. This time Maddy Miller (So., Dillsburg, Pa. / Northern) did the honors with Sydney Bradshaw (Fy., Annandale, Va. / Stonebridge) dishing out the helper.
- Penn State-Abington eventually started to generate some more offensive opportunities in the second half and broke into the scoring column at the end of the middle 30 as Lindsey McCarty found an open Grace Burns. The momentum didn't last too long as Shaffer completed the hat trick just 37 seconds later on another Bradshaw assist.
- The Nittany Lions didn't give up and found the back of the net once again in the 70th minute when Crystal Suin connected with Burns on a long pass. A penalty kick by Madison McDowell in the 88th minute set up the final score.
Inside The Numbers
- Shaffer's hat trick was the second of her career after scoring four in a win against Rosemont last October. She now has five goals on the season.
- Wilson outshot Penn State-Abington 42-13 overall. It's the most shots in a single game since the Phoenix posted 45 in a win at Gallaudet last October.
- Marakovitz took the start and made three saves on four shots faced.
- Corner kicks favored the Phoenix by a 6-4 count with all six coming in the second half. The Lions had some pressure in the first half where they took three corners.
Up Next
The Phoenix return to action on Monday when they host Christendom. Kickoff is set for 5:30 p.m.
