Women's Soccer Defeats Altoona; Lions Named Regular-Season Champs

ALTOONA, Pa. – The Penn State Behrend women's soccer team saved their scoring for the second half, registering all four goals in the final 45 minutes to defeat Penn State Altoona 4-0 in Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference (AMCC) action on Saturday.

With the win, the Lions (12-5-1, 8-0 AMCC) have secured the No. 1 seed for the second straight year and will host the AMCC Semifinals on Wednesday, September 6. In addition to being named the regular-season champions, Behrend is also one win away from finishing undefeated in conference play.

The Lions tallied all four goals in less than 15 minutes, starting with freshman Alex Bilka (Cranberry Township, PA/Seneca Valley). For the second consecutive game, Bilka has scored on a penalty kick for Behrend's first goal.

Sam Pace (Erie, PA/Fort LeBoeuf) tallied her ninth goal of the season just 45 seconds later. Defender Abbie Schuster (Pittsburgh, PA/Upper St. Clair) crossed the ball from the right side and Pace beat Mackenzie Strubhar to go from a tied game to a quick 2-0 lead.

Schuster kept dominating the right-side wing and found an open Courtney Edwards (Erie, PA/Villa Maria Academy) off a cross. Edwards buried a shot from 12-yards out for a three-goal advantage.

With the momentum swinging the Lion's way, Lauren Truxal (Latrobe, PA/Greater Latrobe) put the fourth goal on the scoreboard after scoring on a rebound in front of the goal in the 75^th minute.

Taylor Troyan (Butler, PA/Butler) and Christina Winarski (Erie, PA/Collegiate Academy) combined for the shutout, each making two saves.

Behrend returns to action for its final regular-season home game against Hilbert on Tuesday. Game begins at 7:30 p.m.