READING, Pa. – Junior
Bailey Lehman scored the eventual game-winning goal for the Lions in the third quarter as they defeated Delaware Valley 2-1 on a warm afternoon at Shirk Stadium in non-conference play.
With the win, the Lions improve to 1-2 on the season as
Amber Auchenbach earns her first win as head coach at Albright. Meanwhile, the Aggies fall to 1-1 on the season.
Albright got two quick shots off but would find themselves down 1-0 in the sixth minute after a cross from the right side snuck its way through a group in front of the net. However, the Lions began controlling play and used strong defense to not allow a shot the rest of the first half. Albright then knotted the game at one at the 8:36-mark when junior
Jennifer Crumling poked the ball past the Aggie goalkeeper following a pass from freshman
Samantha McDonald. The Lions nearly took the lead before the end of the first quarter, but freshman
Megan Keller had her shot saved in front. Lehman had two good chances stopped in the second quarter, including a defensive save from the Aggies on a high-bouncing shot. Albright finished the first half with a 12-1 advantage in shots.
The third quarter saw both offense not generate many chances until Lehman scored at the 44:03-mark from the top left circle after sophomore
Sydney Baxter sent her the ball following a penalty corner opportunity. The Aggies finally registered their first shot since their opening goal at the 49:18-mark following a penalty corner opportunity, but the Lions were able to thwart any possible scoring chances. Junior
Hannah Gallagher nearly extended the Lions lead in the 54
th minute before being stopped on a diving shot. The Aggies made one final scoring rush with just over two minutes left, but were unable to register a shot as the Lions defense again came up strong.
The Lions held a dominant 18-2 advantage in shots along with a 12-1 advantage in shots on goal. Albright also held a 14-2 advantage in penalty corners as well. Junior goalkeeper
Brynne Schoppe earned the win despite not making one save in the 60 minutes, while Aggies goalkeeper suffered the tough loss after making 10 saves in the full 60 minutes. Both Lehman and
Jennifer Crumling now lead the team with two goals on the season.
Albright will return to action on Sunday, September 8
th as they will face Lynchburg, who is currently receiving votes in the NFHCA national poll, at 1 p.m.