READING, Pa. – In a thrilling conference matchup on Tuesday evening at Shirk Stadium, sophomore Diza Hasanaj headed in the game-winner during the first overtime period to down Hood, 3-2, and clinch a spot in the MAC Commonwealth Tournament.

The Lions will enter their last regular season conference game with a 10-7 record overall and 4-3 record in the MAC Commonwealth.  The Blazers also clinched a spot in the MAC Commonwealth Tournament, falling to 11-6-2 overall and 3-3-1 in conference.

The first half of the game remained scoreless, with Albright having an 8-3 shot advantage.  Sophomore goalkeeper Olivia Donkus posted two saves and junior goalkeeper Lydia Erickson had three for the Blazers.

The second 45 minutes heated up, as Albright initiated the scoring with a goal from sophomore Autumn Bieber.  Junior Lauren Haley brought the ball down the right side of the field and crossed it in for first-year Emily Serpico, who took a shot that was stopped by Erickson.  Serpico scooped up the rebound and passed back to Bieber who netted the ball for a 1-0 lead.

Just seven minutes later, first-year Courtney Ellis played a through-ball towards the right corner for senior Erin Scarborough, who lofted the ball over Donkus to tie the game, 1-1.  Hood would earn the next goal, as commotion in Albright's box found Jasmine Mangle, who found the net at 72:57 for the 2-1 lead.

In the 75^th minute of the game, the Lions pressed forward and senior Jillian Lapidus nailed a shot from outside the box, hitting the top right corner of the net for the equalizer that would send the Lions and Blazers into overtime.

In the overtime period, the Blazers began the attack with a series of shots that were saved by Donkus just minutes in.  The Lions carried the ball up the field and earned a corner kick that would end the game.  Bieber took the corner and Hasanaj used her head to lock in the 3-2 victory and clinch the Lions' and coach Pat Stanco's sixth consecutive trip to the MAC Commonwealth Tournament.

Overall, Albright took one more shot than Hood, 17-16 and had one more shot on target, 9-8.  The Lions were led by Haley who registered five shots and Hood's Scarborough paced the Blazers with six shots.  The Lions held a 7-3 advantage in corner kicks.

Both Donkus and Erickson tallied six saves for their teams in the net, while Donkus earned her ninth win of the season.

The Albright women's soccer team will head across town to Alvernia on Friday, Nov. 1 for their final MAC Commonwealth game of the regular season at 7 p.m.