PHILADELPHIA, Pa. – An early second-half finish by junior
Megan Lusher proved to be the decider in another 1-0 clean sheet for the University of Pennsylvania women's soccer team, topping Saint Joseph's on Hawk Hill.
The Quakers improved to 4-2 for the season, while the Hawks remain winless at 0-5-3 to wrap up the non-conference portion of their schedule.
Quaker Notemeal
*All four of Penn's wins are 1-0 shutouts.
*Lusher's goal is the first of her collegiate career.
*The Quakers outshot the Hawks, 20-10, with 10 on target.
*Penn held a 6-2 edge in corner attempts.
*The Quaker backline held SJU to just two shots on target.
*Senior
Laurence Gladu made two saves, both in the second half, through 90 minutes of work for her fourth win of the season. She has played every minute in goal this season, maintaining a 0.33 goals-against average with 21 saves and just two goals. She leads the Ivy League in shutouts (4) while ranking second in saves and GAA.
How It Happened
Penn commanded much of the match from the start, outshooting the Hawks 7-3 in the first half. However, a three-save effort in the opening 45 by the SJU keeper kept the game scoreless at the break.
On the flip side, the Quaker backline kept the Hawks tamed in the first half with no shots on target, leaving Gladu unscathed.
Out the gates to start the second half, the Penn offense was firing early and often with three shots on target in the first five minutes. The first two came from
Isobel Glass and
Kat Peroulas before the game-winner hit the back of the net by Lusher in the 51st minute.
Through the rest of the second half, the Quakers got off another 10 shots, but Lusher's was the decider. Defensively, Gladu made two key saves in the 53rd and 73rd minutes to maintain the shutout.
Quotables
"A good road win. We are becoming a tough and gritty team which is a credit to the players for their effort and buy in." – Krissy Turner, Douglas N. Brush Head Coach
"We've been working really hard in training this week to drive to goal. We were all determined to win on the road and I'm super excited that I got an opportunity to score from a great team buildup." –
Megan Lusher, Junior Forward
Up Next
The Quakers return to Penn Park on Thursday for their next match, hosting Villanova for a 6 p.m. start. Penn currently holds an unblemished record of 3-0 at home, all 1-0 victories.
#FightOnPenn
