ERIE, Pa. – The Penn State Behrend women's soccer team scored three first-half goals en route to a 3-1 victory over Mt. Union in non-conference action on Wednesday night.
The Lions (3-3) have now won three in a row and it also marks the second time this season Behrend has scored a hat trick. The Purple Raiders (2-4) got on the board late in the second half, but only scored once on five shots in the final 45 minutes.
Behrend held Mt. Union scoreless and without a shot in the first half.
Olivia Belack (Upper St. Clair, PA/Upper St. Clair) got the ball rolling in the first goal of the night. She sent in a long cross from the right side that deflected off a defender and in for an own goal with just 1:55 gone from the opening kick.
Rachel Weyand (Butler, PA/Butler) netted her second goal of the season for a 2-0 lead. Belack had her hand in this goal, ripping a shot on goal and Paige Freel making the save before Weyand knocked in the ball amongst a scramble in the box at the 11:49 mark.
The Lions added a third goal in less than 20 minutes by Jordan Oberlander (Waterford, PA/Fort LeBoeuf). Freshman Megan Schwartz (Shaler, PA/Shaler) played a ball in down the right side and Oberlander drove a ball from the corner into the net in the 17th minute for a 3-0 advantage.
Kelsey Malenic tallied the goal for the Purple Raiders on a pass from Hailee Brown. She finished a ball played down the middle in the 61st minute to make it 3-1.
Taylor Troyan (Butler, PA/Butler) recorded the win, playing in the first half before making way for her sister Mackenzie Troyan (Butler, PA/Butler). M. Troyan posted her first collegiate saves with three.
Behrend returns to action on Saturday at Washington & Jefferson. Game time is 2 p.m.
