Women’s Soccer: Bald Eagles take flight in season opener

LOCK HAVEN, PA – The Lock Haven University women’s soccer team (1-0) came from behind in the second half to beat the University of Pitt-Johnstown (0-1) by a score of 2-1 in their return to action Thursday. The Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) crossover battle took place on a pristine day a Hubert Jack Stadium, fitting of The Haven’s return to the fall season.

For the first time since 2019, head coach Maggie Kuhn led the Bald Eagles out onto the pitch for a showdown with Pitt-Johnstown. The Mountain Cats grabbed a 1-0 lead with just two minutes remaining in the first half as Katelyn Rudy fired a shot from over thirty yards out which flew into the top corner.

The second half was all Bald Eagles and under a minute into the period sophomore Eva Stoessel (Grantville, Pa./Lower Dauphin) collected a ball inside box and slammed the ball past the goalkeeper to tie the game at 1-1. LHU fed off the momentum and just minutes later freshman Hunter McClellan (Grantville Summit, Pa./Troy) capitalized off a bouncing ball from a corner kick and put it away cleanly for the 2-1 lead which the Bald Eagles held till the full-time whistle.

Goalkeeper Kylie Auman (Centre Hall, Pa./Penns Valley Area) was forced into only one save as The Haven backline led by senior captain Taylor Moritz (Harleysville, Pa./Soudertown Area High) held the Mountain Cats in check.

The trio of Moritz, Leah Jensen (Harrisburg,Pa./Susquehanna Twp.(Concord)) and Sydney Cauffman (Millerstown, Pa./Greenwood (Shepherd)) played the full 90 minutes on defense and kept Pitt-Johnstown to just two shots on goal.

The Bald Eagles return to action was highlighted by the injection of fresh talent into the lineup as Coach Kuhn started eight players who were not a member of the 2019 squad. Notably, both goals were scored by members of the 2020 and 2021 recruiting classes.

Next Up:

LHU travels to California (Pa.) on Saturday. Kick-off is scheduled for 3 p.m. vs. the Vulcans.