LORETTO, Pa. -- The Grove City College women's soccer team improved to 7-1-2 overall Tuesday afternoon by capturing a 3-0 win at Saint Francis in a clash of Presidents' Athletic Conference squads at Stokes Soccerplex.
Grove City broke the scoreless stalemate with 3:32 remaining in the first half when senior defender
Hannah Mitchell (Harrisburg, Pa./Harrisburg Christian) blasted a free kick from the edge of the center circle. The ball bounced over the head of Saint Francis goalie Alyssa Walker and into the net for Mitchell's first goal of the season.
It is the first career game-winning goal for Mitchell, who is in her third season as a starter at center back for the Wolverines.
Grove City doubled the lead 1:56 into the second half as senior midfielder
Tori Stevenson (Butler, Pa./Butler) scored the first of two second-half goals. Freshman midfielder
Ana Hahn (Beaver, Pa./Beaver) assisted Stevenson's goal.
Stevenson then helped cement the win with a goal at 81:18. Freshman midfielder
Ava Soley (Butler, Pa./Butler) assisted the goal, Stevenson's conference-best ninth score of the season.
Grove City owned a 13-6 edge in shots, along with a 7-6 margin in shots on goal. The Red Wolves (3-4-1) doubled up Grove City in corner kicks, 4-2.
Two Grove City goalies combined for the shutout. Senior
Maddie Mills (Niskayuna, N.Y./Niskayuna) made two saves over the first 56:24 of the match. Sophomore
Ella Lotz (McKeesport, Pa./South Allegheny) played the final 33:36 and stopped four shots.
Saint Francis is a provisional member of NCAA Division III as the school continues its transition from NCAA Division I to NCAA Division III. Thus, Tuesday's match does not count in the conference standings.
Stevenson has moved into sole possession of fourth place in program history with 43 career goals. Michelle Novosel (2001-04) is third on the career leaderboard with 49 goals. Stevenson also moved into fourth place in program history with 94 points.
The Wolverines (3-0-1 PAC) will host conference foe Chatham at 4:30 p.m. Friday at Don Lyle Field as part of Homecoming Weekend at the College.
