Box Score

Junior forward Katie Benson (Clifton Park, NY / Shenendehowa) showed why she was voted 2017 USCAA Women's Soccer Player of the Year today, recording a hat trick in the first half and leading ACPHS to a 3-2 victory over the Penn State Brandywine Lions. The win moves the Panthers to 12-5-1 overall, and ensures that they win their Pool regardless of tomorrow's matchup between Brandywine and Johnson & Wales (NC). ACPHS will now face the #1 seeded University of Maine-Fort Kent Bengals in the National Championship Semifinals on Sunday, November 12^th at 12:15 PM.

On a windy day in Virginia Beach, it was the Lions who looked like they would be the ones to open the scoring early. They created a bevy of chances which eventually led to a penalty kick for them after an ACPHS player was called for a handball in the box in the 5^th minute. Penn State midfielder Brianna Banks stepped up for the spot kick, but rattled her effort off the crossbar and could not put the rebounded chance on frame.

In the 22^nd minute, it was looking like it was going to be a rough day for the Panthers, as junior Erin Tersegno (Webster, NY / Webster Thomas) skied a shot from five yards out on their first real chance of the game, but Benson would get Albany off the mark a few minutes later. Junior Cora Bruno (Margaretville, NY / Margaretville Central) received a little help from the wind when she thumped a clearance over the Lion defense that Benson chased after as she has all year. The star forward beat all defenders to it, used a bit of strength to hold one off, and slotted her breakaway opportunity past Penn State keeper Emily Bush.

In the 38^th minute, Benson struck again this time off an assist from freshman defender Emily Linehan (Massapequa, NY / Plainedge High). Linehan rolled a long ball up the left wing for Benson, who beat one defender around the edge to find herself one on one with Bush again. Benson used her left foot to curl the shot just below the crossbar and give ACPHS a 2-0 lead. She wasn't finished though, netting again just two minutes later.

A punt from sophomore goalkeeper Sally Slowinski (Colrain, MA / Mohawk Trail) traveled three quartes of the length of the field, and Benson did the rest. She let the ball bounce twice before poking a half volley that sent Bush the wrong way, extending the Panther lead to three. This goal, her 33^rd of the year, also gave Benson the record for most goals in a single season by a Lady Panther, previously held by her classmate Erin Tersegno who scored 32 times last year.

ACPHS took their 3-0 lead into the half, but the Lions did not go down without a fight. Similar to yesterday's game, the Panthers were both out-possessed and out-shot 16 to 4 in the 2^nd half, which required Slowinski to make some tough saves to preserve the lead. Brandywine scored in the 66^th and 81^st minutes to put some pressure on Albany but in the end could not find an equalizer. Slowinski made 15 saves on the day, the most she has recorded in a single game in her collegiate career.

In their previous meeting this season, University of Maine-Fort Kent traveled to Albany on September 23^rd and beat ACPHS 4-1. Albany will be looking to move on to their 2^nd ever USCAA National Championship appearance. Links to live stats and live video for the game can be found on acphsathletics.com, while live updates will be provided through the @ACPHSAthletics Twitter account.