ERIE, Pa. – The Otterbein women's soccer team took a 2-0 lead into halftime and never let down to defeat Penn State Behrend 3-1 in the opening round of the Herb Lauffer Memorial Soccer Tournament on Saturday.
The Cardinals (1-0) got a quick goal by Megan McCabe at the 4:02 mark. She scored her first collegiate goal on Otterbein's first shot of the contest, bending a shot near post for a 1-0 lead. Amanda Case helped the Cardinals take a two-goal advantage in the 34th minute. Case netted the ball off a pass from Megan Mills to make it 2-0.
Despite only taking three shots, the Lions (0-1) got on the scoreboard with 8:29 left to play in the game. Danielle Pelensky (Harborcreek, PA/Harborcreek) sent a pass down the middle of the box and Valerie Wagner (Pittsburgh, PA/Montour) chipped the ball over a charging Dana Strimbu to cut the lead to 2-1.
Otterbein got its final goal with one second showing on the clock thanks to defender Jill Knox booting the ball from near half field as time expired and over goalie Taylor Troyan (Butler, PA/Butler). The Cardinals fired off 14 total shots and made two saves. Troyan finished with four saves for Behrend.
Behrend will face Baldwin Wallace in the second round of the tournament tomorrow at 4:30 p.m.
