The Lakeland women's soccer team played host to the Ancilla Chargers today and earned their first league win of the year by a score of 4-3. With the victory, the Lakers evened their record at 1-1 in Region XII play. The Chargers got off to a quick start in the first half and held a 2-0 lead with 29:27 to play. Domique Wright was then awarded a penalty kick and netted her first Laker goal with 3:05 to play in the half.
The Chargers would start the second half quickly scoring just 32 seconds into the half off of a rebound to give the visitors a 3-1 lead. Lakeland's Christina Vanah answered by scoring her first collegiate goal on a free kick just 5 minutes later to draw the match tighter at 3-2. With just under 18 minutes to play, Vanah would strike again as she finished off a Lakers corner kick.
Freshman Ashlen Horowski completed the comeback by netting her first goal with 11:38 to play in the game. On the goal, she beat two defenders and dribbled in on a partial breakaway before putting it past the Chargers keeper.
Additional notes and Coaches Comments: The team voted Carli Salatino as the defensive MVP of the match while Kassie Emmett was voted player of the match for her midfield play. Molly Vitcusky and Mercedes Tabler pitched in by playing new roles on defense to help limit the Chargers and key the win. Lila Malkamaki split the game in net and stopped an Ancilla penalty shot. Coach Mallon comments, "The team showed a lot of character in this come from behind win. We are a young squad and still in development, but the coaching staff is very pleased with their progress and proud of the team for showing great resolve and tenacity today."
Next Up: The Lady Lakers will play host to the Terra State Titans on Wednesday (9/7) in a 3:30 pm match at Laker Field.
