2021 PSUAC Women's Soccer Championship Preview

The Facts

#2 Penn State Schuylkill (7-5 overall, 6-3 PSUAC) vs. #1 Penn State Mont Alto (12-2 overall, 9-0 PSUAC)

Wednesday, November 3 6:30 pm Penn State West Turf Fields (off Atherton Street near Rec Hall)

How They Got Here

Both teams come into the championship game fresh off five-game winning streaks of their own. Penn State Schuylkill defeated Penn State Scranton 5-3 in the first round of the PSUAC tournament on Saturday. PSUAC Player of the Year Ariana Trautz tallied two goals in the semifinal game with seven total shots on goal. Defensive Player of the Year Zoe Gannon matched Trautz's two goals with two of her own to help power the offense into the championship.

On Sunday afternoon, Penn State Mont Alto continued their strong finish to the regular season with a 9-1 defeat of Penn State Brandywine. PSUAC 1st team selection Erika Padilla registered eight shots on goal and scored on four of them. Another first team selection Avery Diehl got nine shots on goal and scored on four to power the offense for Mont Alto. 

Leaders

Ariana Trautz has been the offensive force for Penn State Schuylkill, recently picking up Player of The Year honors in the conference. On the year, she has 48 points (23 goals, two assists). She led the conference in goals by nine, as Penn State Brandywine's Jolyn Walleekendeh was second with 14.

Zoe Gannon is the conference's Defensive Player of The Year behind a year in which she recorded four goals.

Goalkeeper Kaely Walshaw has a .744 save percentage to go along with a 6-2 record. Nia Bronson was also named a first-team all-defensive PSUAC member.

Nancy Le also leads the Schuylkill attack with Trautz. She is second on the team with five goals this season. 

Penn State Mont Alto has been led by a balanced attack all season on the offensive and defensive end, which has led to an undefeated conference record. Following a four-goal performance on Sunday, Erika Padilla currently leads the team in goals with 11.

Madison Blyler and Avery Diehl back her up with eight a piece. Padilla is third in the conference in goals on the season. Kara Newell and Hannah Beckett have five goals each on the season. Padilla, Diehl and Newell were recently named all-conference 1st team by the conference office Monday.

Kara Newell is tied for the conference lead in assists with five this season.

First teamer Grace Banfe and Zoe Zentz have helped lead an effective defense all season long for Mont Alto.

All-conference honorable mention goalkeeper Jesime Freet has recorded seven shutouts on the season and received multiple USCAA Goalie of The Week awards in tune with a .877 save percentage and an 8-2 record. 

Fan Information

There are no spectator bleachers available at the field, so those planning to attend should plan accordingly. For further information, please visit Women's Championship Information