ERIE, Pa. – The Penn State Behrend women's soccer team advances to their fourth straight Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference (AMCC) Championship game with a 4-2 win over fifth-seed Franciscan in the semifinals on Wednesday afternoon.
The top-seeded Lions (14-5-1) are making their 14th overall appearance in the title game and will face the winner of No. 2 D'Youville and No. 3 Pitt-Bradford on Saturday, time to be determined. Senior midfielder Sam Vasy (North Huntingdon, PA/Norwin) netted a pair of goals for Behrend, including the eventual game winner just minutes into the second half.
Julie Cocozza tallied both goals on the first two shots for Franciscan (12-8) and Mallory Garthwaite finished with nine saves.
The Lions had a two-goal advantage twice during the game, first in the 12th minute and then again in the 64th minute. Sam Pace (Erie, PA/Fort LeBoeuf) made it 1-0 with a header into the lower-left corner off a long cross Allison Lonas (Johnstown, PA/Conemaugh Township) just 6:05 after the opening whistle.
An own goal by Franciscan (12-8) gave Behrend the quick 2-0 lead, but the Barons cut the deficit by one at the 24:42 mark. Cocozza teamed with Jordan Byrley at the top of the box for a quick pass and low shot into the corner to make it 2-1.
Vasy saved the heroics for the second half with two unassisted goals. The first was a floater shot from the top of the box in the 49th minute and the second came off a direct kick at 63:41, giving the Lions some breathing room for the final 26 minutes.
Cocozza recorded her second goal much like the first, taking advantage of a defensive miscue and gathering the ball for a low shot past Taylor Troyan (Butler, PA/Butler).
During the regular season, the two teams battled in overtime with Behrend coming out ahead, 2-1. The Lions came ready for the playoffs and avenge their only one-goal game in conference play with an 18-4 shot advantage and 10-2 edge in corner kicks.
