By Joshua Laska – Sports/Managing Editor
The No.4 California University of Pennsylvania women’s soccer team posted four wins over the last two weeks including a 2-1 victory over Bloomsburg, 6-0 victory over Millersville, 3-1 victory over Edinboro, and a 4-1 victory over Shippensburg. The Vulcan capture the regular season title undefeated on the season with an overall record of 15-0-2 and 12-0-2 in the PSAC.
It took two overtime periods for the Vulcans to capture the 2-1 victory over Bloomsburg. The Vulcans were actually losing for the first time all season when the Huskies scored first in the 41st minute of the game. Senior midfielder Erin Feltz tied the game up less than three minutes later to tie the game at one. Sophomore midfielder Chelsea Norbuts collected her team leading eight assist of the season on Feltz’s goal.
Neither team would score in the second half or the first overtime, though they both combined for 19 shots. Junior forward Carley Work broke the tie in the 104th minute of the game off of a pass from freshman forward Chelsea Crockett. Work was able to beat the goalie one on one and bury the ball in the back of the net for the 2-1 victory.
The Vulcans easily defeated Millersville 6-0 on Homecoming. It only took 11 minutes for the Vulcans to score when Crockett collected her first goal of the afternoon off of a feed from senior forward Breeanna Robinson. Robinson then was able to collect two goals before the 22nd minute of the game; Crockett collected the assists on both of Robinson’s goals. Crockett would collect her third and final assist of the game with a pass to freshman forward Jordan Gray. Gray found the back of the net from about 20 yards out and was able to bend the ball around the goalie for her second goal of the season.
In the 67th minute of the game Crockett would collect her second goal of the game and seventh point of the game off of a pass from Gray. Senior defensemen Darija Davidson collected her first goal of the season to round out the scoring for the Vulcans.
Senior goalkeeper Paula Jackson and freshman goalkeeper Ashley Magruda combined to post the shutout. The Vulcans held Millersville away from the goalies and did not allow them to post a shot in the second half. Crockett was named PSAC Athlete of the Week after posting her seven points in the victory over Millersville.
Edinboro was able to keep the Vulcans off the board in the first half but in the second half they Vulcans scored three goals in 10 minutes. Edinboro actually scored on themselves to give the Vulcans a 1-0 lead. Work would then find the back of the net for the Vulcans off of an assist from Robinson. Work now leads the Vulcans with 16 goals, a single regular season record. Crockett would then score for the Vulcans to expand the lead to 3-0. Edinboro was able to score a goal but it was a little too late and the Vulcans came away with a 3-1 win.
With the victory the Vulcans captured the regular-season title for the first time in the programs history.
The Vulcans captured their first undefeated regular season in school history after defeating Shippensburg 4-1. 10 minutes into the game Robinson collected her 15th goal of the season off of assists from senior midfielder Sara Di Benedetto and senior defensemen Kelsey Fisher. Shippensburg would tie the game with less than 10 minutes remain in the first half off of a free kick.
The Vulcans were able to overcome the tie when junior midfielder Kayla Fransko scored off of another free kick for her second goal of the season. The Vulcans would score again less than 10 minutes later when senior defensemen Kristen Orrett scored her sixth goal of the season, a career-high for her. Orrett’s goal was assited by Davidson and senior forward Jodi McDonald. Senior defensemen Kayla Klimasko scored her first goal of the season off of a corner kick from Fransko.
The Vulcans returned to action on Tuesday, Nov. 1 against Bloomsburg for PSAC Quarterfinal action but the game ended after press time. If the Vulcans defeated the Huskies again they will move on to the PSAC Semi-Finals today at home, though the time was still to be determined as of press time. With a victory on Tuesday as well as today the Vulcans will move on to play in the PSAC Championship game tomorrow at home and a time to be determined. The Vulcans will also most likely be hosting NCAA regional match ups next week after the NCAA selection show on Nov. 6 or 7.
