Box Score Collegeville, Pa. - The Penn State Abington women's soccer squad dropped an out-of-conference match earlier this evening against Centennial Conference foe Ursinus College. The Bears jumped out to a 4-0 lead before a last minute goal from the Lady Lions made the final score 4-1 in favor of the home team.

Although the Bears outshot the Lady Lions by a tally of 26-6, the Penn State Abington defense, and particularly the stong work of sophomore goalkeeper Gabrielle Benedict, kept Ursinus off of the scoreboard for most of the first half. Benedict ended the night with 9 saves, keeping the scoreline from getting any more out of hand than it could have been, while the Lady Lions back line did a great job at drawing Ursinus into numerous offsides calls.

Unfortunately, when a team is outshot by 20, it is tough to go a full 90 minutes without allowing a goal, and in this case, it was senior Leah Shaw who opened the floodgates for Ursinus (3-8-4, 0-5-4 Centennial) in the 34th minute. Shaw dribbled the ball down the right side of the field and into the penalty box, getting a shot off that beat Benedict and snuck inside the left post for a 1-0 lead. Just three minutes before the halftime whistle, Shaw added her second goal of the night, which would be the eventual game winner. This time, Nicole Good sent a cross into the right side of the box to the waiting Shaw. The senior midfielder sent a shot back across goal and into the left corner of the net for a 2-0 lead going into the half.

The Bears added a pair of goals midway through the second half to extend their lead to 4-0. First, in the 72nd minute, Sarah Cogswell sent a pass to freshman midfielder Melissa Arrisueno. Arrisueno was able to create space from her defender and get a shot off on goal, managing to chip the ball over Benedict and into the back of the net. Then, six minutes later, sophomore Ama Achiaw got an unassisted goal, sending a shot past Benedict and into the net for the final goal for the Bears.

Penn State Abington (11-6-1, 8-3-1 NEAC) finally got on the board with 26 seconds remaining in the match. Junior Kirsten Quinn sent a pass that found fellow junior Alyssa Kaye. Kaye managed to tap a shot over Bears goalkeeper Kara DiJoseph and into the right side of the net, making the final score 4-1 in favor of Ursinus.

Although the loss does quell some of the momentum the Lady Lions had heading into the postseason, it is still an exciting time for the Penn State Abington women's soccer squad. They are guaranteed to have a chance to defend their NEAC crown from last season, and it is sure to start next Wednesday evening. The only questions that remain are where the game is to be played, and against whom? Both questions will be answered on Saturday, when Keuka faces off against SUNYIT. After the results of that match are posted, the Lady Lions will have some idea whether they get to host their first-round match or whether they are headed on th road. Either way, be sure to check in at abingtonsports.com to get all your updates and news on the Lady Lions chase to repeat as NEAC Champions!