Huskies pull away to top Hazleton 7-1

Hazleton, Pa. - The Nittany Lion women's soccer team fell in a home non-conference game on Wednesday, with the Huskies of Word of Life Bible Institute topping Hazleton 7-1. 

Both teams battled the elements on Wednesday afternoon and it was a close contest a third of the way through, but Word of Life took control of the game late in the first half and never looked back. The Huskies started off the scoring with a goal by Avery Connor in the 10th minute of play but Hazleton responded shortly thereafter. The Lions' Alyssa Marlowe found Alexis Maratto with a through ball up the middle and Maratto tucked the ball neatly into the left corner of the goal to tie the game. With 20 minutes to play in the first half, it looked as though Wednesday's match would be tight battle to the end but the Huskies had other plans in mind. Goals in the 28th and 35th minutes gave Word of Life a two-goal advantage at 3-1 and with just two minutes remaining in the period, Connor struck for her second score of the half, giving Word of Life a three goal cushion heading into halftime. 

Hazleton kept the score at status quo for the first 15 minutes of play in the second half, but Word of Life controlled the tempo of play throughout the period. The visitors tacked on three insurance goals in the period, out-shooting the Nittany Lions 19-1 in the final 45 minutes as they cruised to victory in the second half. Hazleton keeper Esmeralda Telles did well to limit the damage, making 21 saves in the game but Hazleton allowed too many opportunities to the Husky offense to keep the game within reach.

Hazleton will look to right the ship in their next contest as the Lions welcome Penn State Mont Alto on Saturday, September 28 for a 12:00 p.m. conference matchup.