Box Score
Jordan Cassidy scored the clinching goal in the 85th minute on her Senior Day as the Albright College women's soccer team defeated Alvernia 3-1, Wednesday in Shirk Stadium.
A year ago Cassidy scored with five minutes left against Widener to send Albright to the Commonwealth playoffs. Now the Lions are in the mix for another berth heading into the final slate of games on Saturday.
The actual winning goal came back in the 18th minute. Cassidy was taken down right on the edge of the box but the free kick was given outside the area. Several minutes later senior
Alex Talbot was fouled and this time a penalty was given, with junior
Mel Sullivan burying it for a 2-0 Albright lead.
The Red and White opened the scoring less than 10 minutes in, as senior
Kim Harkins' corner kick made it to an unmarked
Stephanie Przybyszewski at the back post.
Alvernia made it interesting late as
Kelsey Gill curled a direct free kick over goalkeeper
Kelly Burian's head, but Cassidy would answer just 32 seconds later on a breakaway.
Early in the second half Przybyszewski headed in another Harkins ball, this time off a free kick. The goal was called back however due to a push in the box.
The Lion defense was able to kill the game off until Gill's goal in the 85th minute. With less than 10 minutes to play, Gill hit a shot that Burian saved and was able to cover before it squibbed away.
It was Senior Day and six Lions played their final home game at Shirk Stadium- Cassidy, Harkins, Talbot,
Alee Gormley,
Lauren Kelsey and
Kirstie Potteiger. The group got their 35th win together, and inched closer to a third Commonwealth playoff appearance.
Albright improves to 10-6, 5-3 and moves into the fifth and final playoff spot heading into a Saturday game at defending national champion Messiah. The Lions avoided a major blow as Arcadia took the Falcons to overtime tonight before ultimately losing 1-0. If Arcadia loses or ties against Lebanon Valley on Saturday, Albright will have done enough to make the playoffs. If Arcadia wins, the Lions will need to get something from their encounter with Messiah.
