La Plume, Pa. – Visiting Immaculata University scored three unanswered goals to overcome an early deficit and post a 3-1 victory over Keystone College in the Colonial States Athletic Conference women's soccer opener for both teams on Saturday afternoon. The Mighty Macs lift their record to 1-5 (1-0 CSAC) on the season while the Giants slide to 2-3 (0-1 CSAC).
Keystone opened the scoring just 5:21 into Saturday's contest with a well-executed set piece. On a restart from 30 yards out,
Rebecca Lewis (Abingdon, Md./Aberdeen) blasted a shot into the upper-90 with
Cassie Ehrhart (Stamford, N.Y./Stamford Central) and
Kristy Hansen (Brodheadsville, Pa./Pleasant Valley) picking up assists on the tally. Lewis goal was the junior defender's second marker of the season.
Immaculata leveled the contest at 1-1 just 46 seconds later by scoring on a free kick of its own as Carrie Quigley scored on a direct kick from 25 yards out. The Mighty Macs then claimed a 2-1 lead in the 14
th minute when Rachel Lamb headed home a cross from Erica Buckley from close range.
The visitors held the one-goal edge at halftime after outshooting Keystone by a narrow, 8-6 margin over the opening 45 minutes of play.
Keystone chased the equalizer for much of the second half, but was denied by Immaculata goalkeeper Allie Tracey, who finished with eight saves, including several of the outstanding variety with the Mighty Macs leading by a goal.
Immaculata tacked on an insurance goal in the 81
st minute when Carly Quigley launched a long free kick that hit the bottom of the crossbar and went in just over the goal-line as determined by the assistant referee.
The visitors finished the game with a 26-16 advantage in shots and a 12-9 edge in shots on goal. The Mighty Macs also held a narrow, 6-4 lead in corner kick chances for the game.
Sarah Heintz (Glenside, Pa./Abington) made nine saves for the Giants, including several stops at point blank range. Ehrhart led Keystone with five shots for the game while
Hannah Richner (Nicholson, Pa./Mountain View) attempted four shots for the hosts.
Keystone returns to the pitch on Tuesday with a non-conference match at SUNY Delhi. Opening kick between the Giants and Broncos is set for 4:00 p.m. in Delhi, New York.