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2007 NEWS
 

Lions well represented on AMCC women's soccer all-conference team
11.4.07
Five Penn State Altoona women's soccer players and their head coach were honored by the Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference on Sunday.  Freshman Amanda Ebersole (Sunbury, PA/Shikellamy) was the lone Lion named to the 1st team all-conference unit after a stellar inaugural campaign as a punishing defender.  Four of Ebersole's teammates including fellow freshmen Amber Werner, Natalie Sheehan, Emily Schneider, and junior Allie Schumacher were selected as Honorable Mention performers.  Werner (Downingtown, PA/Downingtown) started 18 of 20 games in goal for Altoona and recorded 57 saves while surrendering just 15 goals.  She was twice named the AMCC Goalkeeper of the Week and pitched six shutouts in 2007.  Sheehan (Johnstown, PA/Westmont Hilltop) was second on the team in scoring with six goals and two assists (14 points) despite missing six games due to injury.  Schneider (Martinsburg, PA/Central) who was named the conference Player of the Week on October 1, played all 20 games scoring six goals and tallying one assist (13 points).  Schumacher (Rochester, NY/Penfield), one of only three upperclassmen on the roster, led the Lions in scoring with 18 points (8 goals, 2 assists).  Also an Honorable Mention honoree in 2006, she was named the AMCC Player of the Week twice this season on October 8 and October 29.  First year head coach Tim Wassell was the obvious choice for conference Coach of the Year after guiding the Lions to their best record in program history (13-6-1), best conference finish in program history (6-2-1), and first ever trip to the AMCC semifinals.

Second half charge sinks women's soccer in AMCC semis
10.31.07
Facing a manageable 1-0 deficit at intermission, the Penn State Altoona women's soccer team surrendered three second half goals to Frostburg State en route to a 4-1 setback Wednesday evening in Frostburg, MD.  The Lions, who fell to 13-6-1 overall, were making their second-ever AMCC Tournament appearance and first-ever conference semifinal showing.  The hosts out-shot Altoona 24-5 and fired 15 shots on goal at Lion keeper Amber Werner, who finished with 11 saves.  Lauren Lentile scored the first Frostburg goal in the 37th minute to set the halftime score.  Teammates Lauren Russell, Amanda Drake, and Kaleigh Herring tallied the next three goals as the Bobcats bolted to a 4-0 lead before Altoona cracked the scoreboard.  Lion freshman Natalie Sheehan's free kick found nothing but net at the 81:58 mark to set the final.  The visitors were held without a corner kick and attempted just two shots on goal.  Penn State Altoona, who will now hope for their first ever bid to the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) playoffs, has never defeated Frostburg State in eight all-time meetings.  The Bobcats advance to Saturday's AMCC title game at top seed Penn State Behrend, who pummeled La Roche 5-0 in the day's other semifinal.

Three soccer players named AMCC Players of the Week
10.29.07
Penn State Altoona junior midfielder Allie Schumacher and goalkeeper Amber Werner along with men's soccer standout Bryan Pierzga were named Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference Players of the Week for the week of October 29, the conference office announced Monday.  Schumacher, who hails from Rochester, NY,  scored in every game for the Lions, racking up seven points on three goals and one assist in a 3-0 week.  The team's top scorer, she netted the first two goals in a 3-0 first round playoff win over Pitt-Greensburg, their first post-season win and second ever playoff appearance.  Werner, a freshman from Downingtown, was equally impressive and did not concede a single goal in the squads' three victories. She helped the team reach their AMCC-best 10th shutout of the year and leads the conference in goals against average at 0.71.  It was the second ever P.O.W. selection for both Schumacher and Werner as they both received the honor earlier this season.  Pierzga had a 12 point week as the Lion men also went 3-0.  He had the game-winning goal in a victory over Mount Aloysius, giving him 19 game-winners out of 55 career goals.  The State College native also assisted on the game-winners against Alvernia and Lake Erie in the first round of the playoffs.  It is Pierzga's third Player of the Week selection this season and fifth all-time.  

Lions end regular season with non-conference victory
10.24.07
Freshman Daneille Ivancich scored the game's only goal in the 60th minute as the Penn State Altoona women's soccer team defeated NAIA affiliate Point Park University 1-0 Wednesday in Pittsburgh.  Junior Allie Schumacher assisted the game winning tally for the Lions, who finished regular season play at 12-5-1 overall and 6-2-1 in the Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference.  The visitors had as many shots on goal (9) as Point Park had total attempts.  Pioneer goalkeeper Emily Tomalewski finished with nine saves while Altoona keeper Amber Werner turned away five shots and earned her fifth shutout of the season.  The Lions will now prepare for a rematch with Pitt-Greensburg on Saturday in the first round of the AMCC Tournament.  The 12:00 noon start will be played at Spring Run Stadium.

Women's Soccer gets record setting win, clinches #3 seed in AMCC playoffs
10.23.07
The 2007 season has featured a number of "firsts" for Penn State Altoona women's soccer, and with Tuesday's 10-0 home win over Mount Aloysius, the Lions put an exclamation point on the best campaign in program history.  Altoona improved to 11-5-1 overall and eclipsed the all-time record for most wins in a season which was previously 10 (2002 -- 10-7-1).  The Lions finished AMCC regular season play at 6-2-1 overall, easily topping the previous best record in conference competition which stood at 5-4 (2004).  On Tuesday, the Lions got seven second half goals to break the game wide open and out-shot the visiting Mounties 53-2.  Nine different players found the net including Allison Thompson, who finished the evening with four points via one goal and two assists.  Ally Richardson also had four points, netting two goals, as Altoona fired 35 shots between the posts.  Natalie Sheehan, Alyssa Kanuch, and Katie Markley had a goal and an assist while Emily Schneider, Tiffany Robinson, Whitney Hough, and Allie Schumacher tallied goals.  Mount Aloysius goalkeeper Laura Deely recorded 24 saves for the visitors, who dropped to 1-13 overall.  The Lions clinched its second playoff berth ever and will enter the AMCC Tournament as the #3 seed hosting the #6 seed Pitt-Greensburg on Saturday, October 27, at a time to be determined.  Penn State Altoona qualified for the 2004 conference playoffs as the fifth seed and bowed out in the first round to the Greensburg Bobcats.  Altoona will travel to Pittsburgh on Wednesday for a non-league contest at 3 PM against Point Park University before Saturday's playoff tilt.

Behrend knocks off women's soccer
10.20.07
Visiting Penn State Behrend out-shot Penn State Altoona 12-5 and got two goals from senior Beth Manganaro en route to a 2-0 victory Saturday afternoon at Spring Run Stadium.  With the win, Behrend clinched the top seed in the upcoming AMCC Tournament and improved to 9-5-3 overall while Altoona dropped to 10-5-1 overall and 5-2-1 in the conference.  Manganaro scored the game's first goal just nine minutes in when she received a pass from Danielle Demay and blasted a one timer past Altoona keeper Amber Werner.  Just after halftime, Manganaro went back to work, this time booting home a corner kick from Caitlyn Elser at the 51:22 mark.  Altoona, who will next host Mount Aloysius on Tuesday evening at 7 PM, dropped to 0-7 all-time against their Penn State counterparts.  Werner finished with three saves while Behrend keeper Kayla Frost recorded two saves and was credited with the shutout. 

Women's Soccer drops first conference game of season
10.9.07
Frostburg State out-shot the visiting Penn State Altoona women's soccer team 18-2 Tuesday evening en route to a 2-0 win over the Lions, who lost their first AMCC game of the season after starting 4-0-1.  With the victory, Frostburg hurdled Penn State Altoona in the league standings and improved to 11-2-1 overall and 5-0 in the conference.  The hosts were in control from start to finish and have now outscored their five AMCC opponents 20-0.  Lauren Russell got the Lady Bobcats on the board at the 31:24 mark with a short punch in from the front left side that beat Altoona keeper Amber Werner.  Frostburg added an insurance goal in the 82nd minute when Heather Fleishell headed home Katie Emminger's corner kick to set the final score.  Penn State Altoona dropped to 9-4-1 overall, 4-1-1 in the AMCC, and had its six game winning streak snapped.  The Lions will take on Medaille this Sunday, October 14, in Buffalo, NY.  Game time is 1:00 PM. 

Women's Soccer scores two unanswered to upend Bradford
10.6.07
Allie Schumacher scored the game winning goal in the 74th minute to lead the Penn State Altoona women's soccer team to a 2-1 win over Pitt-Bradford Saturday at Spring Run Stadium.  The Lions improved to 9-3-1 overall and 4-0-1 in the Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference.  It was the visitors who cracked the scoreboard first when Marina Wesner punched in a Stefanie Herrmann cross at the 15:16 mark of the first half.  Alyssa Kanuch answered for the hosts just before halftime, converting a free kick from just outside the goal box to even the score.  With the contest knotted at one, Lisa Murphy's corner kick midway through the second half was corralled by Schumacher, who fired a shot through heavy traffic that found nothing but the net.  The Lions out-shot the visiting Lady Panthers 22-7 and attempted seven corner kicks compared to Bradford's one.  A total of 25 fouls and three cards were whistled, including a red card on Pitt-Bradford's Amanda Shaw that earned an ejection and gave the Lions a man advantage the entire second half.  Penn State Altoona is back in action on Tuesday, October 9, as it travels to Frostburg State for a 5:00 game.

Four earn AMCC Player of the Week honors
10.1.07
Four Penn State Altoona athletes have been recognized by the Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference as Players of the Week for the week of October 1, the conference office announced late Monday.  Volleyball middle hitter Lauren Carter, women's soccer forward Emily Schneider and goalkeeper Amber Werner, and men's soccer forward Bryan Pierzga all collected P.O.W. honors for outstanding individual play.  Carter recorded some gaudy stats in a 2-0 week to keep the Lions atop the league standings.  She averaged five kills, one block, and two digs along with a .398 hitting percentage in straight game sweeps over Mount Aloysius and Pitt-Bradford.  It was the second Player of the Week selection this season for the Bellwood native after earning the honor on September 17.  Schneider recorded a goal in every game this week, helping the Lions to three consecutive wins. She had the game winner in a 1-0 victory over Lake Erie and added an insurance goal against Pitt Greensburg to keep the Lions undefeated in conference play.  Werner helped the squad to two shutouts in a 3-0 week, making eight saves and allowing a single goal. The freshman has the lowest goals against average in the AMCC (0.66) and has been part of four shutouts so far this season.  Pierzga is no stranger to AMCC hardware as he earned his fourth career Player of the Week selection and second this season.  He had both game-winners in a 2-0 week for Altoona, who sits alone atop the conference standings.  Pierzga had the only goal his team needed in a 6-0 decision over Pitt-Greensburg, then notched his 50th career goal in a 2-0 win over Lake Erie.  Pierzga's career point total now stands at 127, an incredible 77 more than the next closest Lion player.

Schneider helps women's soccer extend winning streak
9.29.07
Sophomore Emily Schneider scored the game's only goal in the 78th minute to lead Penn State Altoona to a 1-0 victory over Lake Erie Saturday in Painesville, OH.  It was Schneider's third goal of the year and first ever game winner.  The win was the third straight for the Lions and snapped a two game losing streak to the Storm dating back to 2005.  Altoona now holds a 4-3 edge in the all-time series with Lake Erie.  Penn State Altoona out-shot Lake Erie 11-4 with seven of those attempts coming on goal.  A combined 28 fouls were whistled on the afternoon including 18 on the visitors.  Penn State Altoona improved to 6-3-1 overall and has already matched last season's win total.  The squad remained undefeated in AMCC action at 2-0-1 and will meet La Roche on Wednesday, October 3, at Spring Run Stadium.  Game time is set for 4 PM. 

Balanced attack pushes Lions past Penn State Harrisburg
9.27.07
Four first half goals were more than enough for the Penn State Altoona women's soccer team Thursday evening as it blanked visiting Penn State Harrisburg 4-0 at Spring Run Stadium.  The contest, which was originally slated to begin at 6 PM, was delayed one hour due to heavy rain and lightning.  The wet conditions didn't slow down the Altoona offense, which exploded for four goals in the game's first 30 minutes.  Freshman Whitney Hough opened the scoring just three minutes in, converting a pass from classmate Amanda Ebersole in front of the net.  In the fifth minute, Lisa Murphy blasted a shot from the top of the box that found nothing but net, making the score 2-0.  A double assist was awarded to Hough and Danielle Ivancich on the play.  Alyssa Kanuch punched in the Lions' third goal at the 22:52 mark after collecting a rebound off a Harrisburg defender.  Seven minutes later, Emily Schneider concluded the scoring when her one timer deflected off the Harrisburg keeper and rolled in.  Alea Kuczynski was credited with the assist and became the seventh Altoona player to record a point on the evening.  The Lions out-shot the visitors 28-5 on the game and attempted 16 shots on goal.  Amber Werner and Carol Opiela split time in goal for the hosts and combined for three saves.  Penn State Altoona returns to action on Saturday as it travels to Lake Erie for an AMCC showdown with the Storm.  Game time is 1 PM. 

Women's Soccer battles Hilbert to 1-1 draw
9.22.07
Neither Penn State Altoona nor visiting Hilbert College could net a second goal Saturday evening at Spring Run Stadium as the squads fought to a 1-1 tie.  After 90 minutes of regulation and two 10 minute overtimes, the Lions had out-shot the Lady Hawks 21-4 and attempted 10 corner kicks.  Both goals came in the first half as Hilbert got on the board first with Penn State Altoona answering minutes later.  At the 23:53 mark, Hilbert's Cristina DiSano scored off a pass through the middle from teammate Tricia Knight.  The Lions got their only goal in the 32nd minute after Hilbert was whistled for a handball in the goal box.  Junior Allie Schumacher netted the penalty kick to even the score at one.  Altoona fired 12 of its 21 shots in the second half but came up empty despite playing almost entirely in Hilbert's end of the field.  The Lions are 3-3-1 overall and 0-0-1 in conference play.  Next up is a 4 PM match at Pitt-Greensburg on Wednesday, September 26. 

Second half goals sink women's soccer at Lebanon Valley
9.20.07
A pair of early second half goals did in the Penn State Altoona women's soccer team Thursday afternoon as it fell to Lebanon Valley 2-0 in Annville, PA.  The Lions dropped to 3-3 on the season while Lebanon Valley improved to 4-3.  The first LVC tally came at the 49:05 mark when Jennifer DiMauro headed home a pass from Kristen Hoover to break the scoreless tie.  Less than 10 minutes later in the 57th minute, the Flying Dutchmen got their second goal after Penn State Altoona's failed clear attempt went right into its own net, resulting in an own goal for the hosts.  Altoona managed just four shots on the entire game and attempted only two corner kicks.  LVC took 11 shots, six on goal, and was awarded seven corner kicks.  Penn State Altoona returns to action this Saturday, September 22, against Hilbert.  The game will be both teams' AMCC opener and will begin at 6 PM. 

Second half goal pushes women's soccer past W&J
9.18.07
Freshman Whitney Hough scored her second career goal less than two minutes into the second half as the Penn State Altoona women's soccer team downed visiting Washington & Jefferson 1-0 Tuesday evening at Spring Run Stadium.  The Lions beat the Presidents for the first time in program history and avenged a 3-0 loss last year in Washington.  After a scoreless opening half, Hough pounded a shot off Presidents' goalkeeper Jackie Foltz just one minute into the second period.  Foltz couldn't recover as the ball deflected back to Hough, who kicked it into an empty net at the 46:16 mark.  W&J out-shot Penn State Altoona 16-8 on the evening.  Foltz finished with four saves while Lion goalkeeper Amber Werner turned away eight shots.  Altoona improved to 3-2 on the season and will travel to Lebanon Valley College on Thursday for a non-conference showdown with the Flying Dutchmen at 4 PM.  The Lions open Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference play on Saturday, September 22, against Hilbert at 6 PM. 

Altoona men, Marietta women capture Challenge Cup championships
9.16.07
It was business as usual for the Marietta College women and the Penn State Altoona men in the 2007 Penn State Altoona Challenge Cup Tournament finals Sunday afternoon.  The Lady Pioneers defeated the host Lions 1-0 to capture their fourth straight title before the Altoona men downed the Pioneers 3-1 to earn their third consecutive championship.  Albright College finished third in both the men's and women's tournaments by defeating Thiel College, which finished fourth.  On the women's side, senior Marianne Siders was named the tournament MVP for her two-day performance.  Bryan Pierzga of Penn State Altoona was the men's Most Valuable Player after scoring three goals and one assist in two contests.  For complete results and a listing of the women's and men's all-tournament teams, click the links below.

              DAY 2 MEN'S RECAP                            DAY 2 WOMEN'S RECAP
 

Penn State Altoona, Marietta advance to Challenge Cup title games
9.15.07
The men's and women's championship games of the 2007 Penn State Altoona Challenge Cup soccer tournament will feature the hosts from Penn State Altoona and a familiar guest in Marietta College.  The Pioneer men and women each defeated Albright College in Saturday's first round while both Penn State Altoona teams downed Thiel in their openers.  Marietta handled the Lions of Albright 3-0 in the women's first round before the Pioneer men squeaked out a 1-0 overtime win against Albright.  The Penn State Altoona women downed Thiel 2-0 after out-shooting the visiting Lady Tomcats 39-0 on the night.  The Lion men were also victorious over Thiel by a 4-0 count thanks to two goals from Lenny Castor.  For full game recaps and Sunday's game times, click the links below.

            DAY 1 MEN'S RECAP                            DAY 1 WOMEN'S RECAP

Penn State Altoona Challenge Cup Tournament set for this weekend
9.12.07
Eight teams representing four colleges will invade Spring Run Stadium this weekend for the fourth annual Penn State Altoona Challenge Cup Tournament on Saturday and Sunday, September 15-16.  The schedule features men's and women's teams from Albright College, Marietta College (OH), Thiel College, and host Penn State Altoona.  The Marietta women have won the tournament each of the first three years.  On the men's side, Penn State Altoona is the two-time defending champion having captured the title in both 2005 and 2006.  The Marietta men took the inaugural championship in 2004.  Admission to the tournament is $3.00 for a one day pass or $5.00 for both days.  Tournament t-shirts and Lion seat cushions will be on sale, and a concession stand complete with meatball sandwiches, hot dogs, candy, popcorn, and drinks will be available.  A full schedule of events including game times can be found by CLICKING HERE.

Women's soccer falls to Juniata in season opener
9.6.07
Katie Young punched home a rebound at the 75:33 mark to break a 1-1 deadlock and give visiting Juniata College a 2-1 win over Penn State Altoona in NCAA women's soccer action Thursday.  It was the season opener for the host Lions, who jumped on top quickly after freshman Danielle Ivancich converted a pass from classmate Allison Thompson just seven minutes into the game.  The hookup marked the first career points for both players.  The Lady Eagles answered just before intermission when Sarah Ruggiero booted home a goal at the 41:26 mark to even the score.  Teammates Amanda Broadwell and Caitlin Bigelow were each awarded assists.  Young's heroics came with less than 15 minutes to play as the contest seemed destined for overtime.  Penn State Altoona managed 12 shots on the game compared to 23 attempts by Juniata.  Both goalkeepers had stellar evenings as Altoona's Carol Opiela tallied eight saves and Lady Eagles' keeper Lisa Russo had seven.  The loss spoiled the debut of new Penn State Altoona women's soccer head coach Tim Wassell, who took over for Jim Fee prior to season's start.  With the loss, Penn State Altoona dropped to 0-4-2 all time against Juniata.  The Lions are now 0-1 on the young season and will travel to Shenandoah University on Wednesday, September 12 for a 4:00 PM match.

Lions looking to return to AMCC playoffs in 2007
8.29.07
The 2007 Penn State Altoona women's soccer team has one goal in mind…a trip to the Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference playoffs.  The 2006 Lions finished 6-7-4 overall, 2-5-2 in the conference, and missed out on a postseason berth by just three points.  After long time head coach Jim Fee resigned prior to season's start, new bench boss and former assistant Tim Wassell will bear responsibility for resurrecting a program picked to finish 8^th in the ten-team AMCC this season.  To climb the conference ladder, Altoona will have to improve on its 2006 effort in a number of areas.  In the conference, the Lions finished seventh or lower in nearly every key statistical category including goals, assists, points, and goals allowed.  In its two ties against Hilbert and Pitt-Greensburg, Altoona held leads in both games but were unable to finish off their opponents.  Had the squad won those two contests, it would have entered the AMCC playoffs as the 5^th seed.  READ MORE

Women's Soccer picked eighth in preseason coaches poll
8.13.07
The Penn State Altoona women's soccer team was picked to finish eighth in the Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference Preseason Coaches Poll released last week.  Penn State Behrend is the preseason favorite to defend its 2006 championship, edging out last year's AMCC runner-up Frostburg State for the top spot.  La Roche, Medaille, and Hilbert round out the coaches top five.  Lake Erie junior forward Angela Bethel, who also stars for the Lady Storm on the basketball court, earned Preseason Player of the Year honors.  She was the AMCC leading scorer in 2006 with 30 goals and nine assists and was ranked fourth in the nation in goals per game and points per game.  Penn State Altoona will look to return to postseason play for the first time since 2004 after narrowly missing the conference playoffs a year ago.  Junior Allie Schumacher and sophomore Hilary Dagle were tabbed as players to watch for seventh year head coach Jim Fee's team.  To view the full 2007 AMCC Women's Soccer Preseason Coaches Poll, click here.