READING, Pa. – A late second half goal lifted the Ursinus Women's Soccer team to a 3-2 win over Penn State Berks in their 2025 season opener on Friday night.
The Bears had the first chance of the contest just over a minute into the game when sophomore
Emma Woch had a shot saved. The Nittany Lions got the scoring going in the fifth minute on a rebound goal following an initial shot off the crossbar. However, their lead did not last long as sophomore
Taylor Pezulich scored in the 11th minute from the box after getting a set up pass from senior
Paige Flaugh. The first half of goals continued three minutes later when the Nittany Lions retook the lead before Flaugh redirected in a pass from Pezulich in the 21st minute to level the score at two. First-year
Lily Ballard sent a ball into the box that Pezulich quickly collected and sent to Flaugh. The Bears put on five shots on goal in the final 14 minutes of the first half but were unable to take the lead into halftime.
Ursinus continued to control play in the second half but early on could not find the breakthrough goal. The hard work finally paid off in the 79th minute when sophomore
Claire Shoemaker knocked in the ball that initially was headed off a Berks defender and survived contact from the Nittany Lions goalkeeper. It was Shoemaker's first collegiate goal. The Nittany Lions had a potential scoring threat snuffed out and the Bears did not allow a shot in the final eight minutes to preserve the win.
The Bears held a sizable 27-5 shot advantage for the contest and a 19-3 edge in shots on goal. Ursinus also held a slight 8-5 edge in corner kicks. Sophomore goalkeeper
Alyssa Marraffino earned the win after playing the final 45 minutes and made one save. Classmate
Mallory Toomey started the game for Ursinus and played the first 45 minutes. Nittany Lions goalkeeper Sophia Gonzalez suffered the loss despite a valiant 16-save effort in the 90 minutes.
Pezulich and Flaugh led the Bears offense with each tallying a goal and an assist.
Ursinus returns to action on Sunday, August 31st as they will host Delaware Valley for its home opener at 12:00 p.m.
