Box Score Abington, Pa. – It was a tale of two halves for the Penn State Abington women's soccer squad on Monday night. The Lady Lions struggled against the ruthless attack of the Lancaster Bible College Chargers (8-3, 5-1 NEAC) in the first half, falling down 2-0 by halftime. The second half was a different matter entirely, with the women in white having all the opportunities, only to fall short by a single goal. In the end, Penn State Abington (7-4, 5-2 NEAC) dropped their first game since mid-September by a score of 2-1.
 
With each of the two teams battling for position high atop the NEAC standings, it was sure to be a tightly contested affair from the start. The game definitely lived up to the hype, with each team having several quality chances on goal in the first frame. Although the first-half was nothing if not a back-and-forth affair, the Chargers were the ones who came out on top on the scoreboard when it mattered most.
 
It all started very early on in the half, in fact on the first recorded plays of the match. Senior Ally Brown took possession of a through pass from the midfield along the left side. Making it all the way into the attacking third, Brown cut in towards the penalty box and had a semi-breakaway on Lady Lions sophomore goalkeeper Gabrielle Benedict. Brown let a hard, high shot rip from about 15 yards out. With the ball headed right for the roof of the netting, Benedict came up with a tremendous reaction save, pushing both hands over her head and deflecting the ball off track. The shot landed softly behind Benedict and in front of the now wide-open goal. Unfortunately for Penn State Abington, it was Chargers sophomore Monica Horning who got to the ball first, calmly slotting it into the back of the net to give the away team a quick 1-0 lead.
 
Penn State Abington tried from there on to match each Lancaster Bible attack with one of their own. The teams traded shots and possession for the next 18 minutes, and then the Chargers struck again with what would ultimately be the game-winning goal. Senior Whitney Heise took the ball down the right side of the field, getting all the way into the right corner before turning towards goal. Heise sent in a low, fast cross that skipped off the turf and past the Lady Lions' central defenders. The ball made it all the way to the center of the penalty box, where Ally Brown was waiting unmarked. Brown sent a quick shot past Benedict and into the right side of the netting, pushing the Chargers lead to 2-0.
 
After the halftime whistle, Penn State Abington seemed reenergized, and it showed in their play. The Lady Lions earned four corner kicks and registered four more shots in the second frame and were finally able to get a goal back. Starting in the 57^th minute, Penn State Abington earned a run of three straight corner kicks. With that many chances at a set piece, the Lady Lions were bound to capitalize on one, and the third time was the charm. Senior Brittany Palmer sent a corner kick in from the right side that made it all the way through the box. A failed clearing attempt by the Chargers landed the ball right at the feet of junior Kirsten Quinn. Quinn took a couple of dribbles along the top left of the box before sending a beautiful curling shot just inside the far post. The goal was Quinn's fourth of the season, and got the Lady Lions right back in the match at 2-1.
 
Unfortunately for Penn State Abington, the Chargers defense was able to buckle down and prevent any further Lady Lions breakthroughs. The best opportunity to tie the game up came off the foot of Palmer in the 77^th minute, but senior goalkeeper Emily Lloyd was able to smother the shot and close out the victory. The defeat moves the Lady Lions to 7-4 on the season and 5-2 in the NEAC conference standings. Penn State Abington gets their next chance to get back in the win column on Saturday afternoon as they start another two-day New York trip with a game at Cazenovia. Be sure to stay in touch with all your Lady Lions soccer updates at abingtonsports.com.