BLOOMSBURG, Pa. - The Bloomsburg University women's soccer team picked up a crucial conference win on Sunday (Oct. 15) defeating visiting East Stroudsburg 3-0.
 
The two teams started out a bit slow, but the Huskies were able to establish offense and play their game with a run in the 21^st minute. Erin Bielski (York, Pa./Century (Md.)) charged toward the ESU goal line and sent a cross attempt into the box. It was knocked down by an ESU defender, and a handball was called. With a penalty kick awarded, it was Lauren Hoelke (Blackwood, N.J./Highland Regional) who buried her third of the season on the attempt to give the Huskies the lead. The two teams would stave off each other's offensive rushes until the break, with BU taking the 1-0 lead to the half.
 
The start of the second half played out much like the first, with both teams battling for possession in their offensive ends. Mackenzie Gebhardt (Pennsburg, Pa./Upper Perkiomen) went streaking with the ball down the far wing, and sent in a cross attempt toward the top of the box. Hoelke deflected the ball further on across for Allie Barber (Pittston Township, Pa./Pittston Area) coming from the near side. Barber created some space and rifled a shot destined for the top shelf. The shot hit its mark for her third of the season to double BU's lead in the 54^th minute. Bloomsburg was able to challenge ESU's offense for the next 28 minutes, before Gebhardt sent Maggie McDonald (Burke, Va./West Potomac) on a through ball in the middle. McDonald out-ran all of ESU's defenders and beat the keeper 1-on-1 for her fourth of the season in the 84^th minute.
 
The Huskies out-shot the Warriors 13-6, including 8-4 in shots on goal. In addition to the scoring, Jessica Supp (Perkasie, Pa./Pennridge) fired three shots on net, along with one from Rachel Yenney (Collegeville, Pa./Perkiomen Valley) and one from Gebhardt. Jenna Hawkins (Hamburg, Pa./Fleetwood) (7-4-2) made four saves in her sixth shutout of the season.
 
Bloomsburg (8-4-2, 7-4-2 PSAC) is back at home on Saturday (Oct. 21) when they host Pitt-Johnstown for a 2:00 p.m. kickoff.