BLOOMSBURG, Pa. – The Bloomsburg University women's soccer team improved to 2-0 during the early course of the 2022 season as it held on for a 2-1 non-conference victory over Goldey-Beacom Sunday afternoon at Steph Pettit Stadium.
The Huskies maintained possession of the ball in the attacking end of the field for a majority of the first half, and sophomore forward
Ellie Rowe (Hetlerville, Pa./Central Columbia) was able to connect on a long a shot from about 25 yards out that fell in over Goldey-Beacom's goalkeeper for the first score of the game with just over eight minutes remaining in the opening half. Rowe's goal off the bench was the lone score of the first half and the Lightning were limited to just one shot in the frame.
Nearly seven minutes into the second half,
Nicole Varano (Mt. Carmel, Pa./Mt. Carmel) extended Bloomsburg's lead to 2-0 when she headed in a free kick that was sent into the box by
Kylie Schwab (Lewisberry, Pa./Red Land). Varano's goal came on the team's second possession of the half and would be the team's final score of the contest, but the two-goal lead would prove to be vital as Goldey-Beacom cut the deficit in half later in the frame.
Jenna Campagna got the Lightning on the scoreboard by scoring on an unassisted goal with under nine minutes left to go in the game, but offesnive opportunities for Goldey-Beacom were once again limited by Bloomsburg's offensive possession of the ball and solid defensive play, and the Huskies were able to hang on for the one-goal victory.
Bloomsburg goalkeeper
Riley Spingler (Langhorne, Pa./Neshaminy) had two critical saves in the second half that also proved to be a difference maker in the contest. Spingler's first save happened right after Varano's goal, and the goalkeeper's second save came on Goldey-Beacom's ensuing possession during a one-on-one situation with a Lightning forward in the box. Spingler was able to deflect a shot from point-blank range, and a rebounded shot attempt by another Lightning player was sent over the net to end Goldey-Beacom's scoring threat.
Bloomsburg finished the contest with eight shots in each period for a total of 16, and the Huskies landed 10 of those shots on goal. After being held to just one shot in the first half, Goldey-Beacom had six in the second half to bring the team's total to seven, three of which were on target.
The Huskies (2-0, 0-0 PSAC) will begin play in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference on Wednesday when they travel to Mansfield (1-0, 0-0 PSAC) to take on the Mounties. The contest is scheduled to begin at 4:00 PM.
