Box Score YORK, PA - The York College women's soccer team hit on all
cylinders Thursday afternoon as they tallied four goals and pitched
a shutout in their 4-0 victory over conference rival Hood.
The Spartans improve to 2-5-1 overall and 2-1 in the Capital
Athletic Conference, while the visiting Blazers fall to 3-6 and 0-3
in the league.
The Spartans' depth proved vital to their success, as
they were able to rotate fresh legs onto the field to maintain a
strong offensive attack on a warm and humid day at York's
Graham Field.
York notched their first goal after Stephanie Mergler stole the ball 25 yards from the goal and then was
fouled as she dribbled inside the box. Merlger added insult
to injury as she knocked in the penalty kick and claimed her third
goal of the season.
The Spartans were silenced for the remainder of the first half,
but made some noise in the second when Ali Jones
hooked up with Jackie Gibat in the 58th
minute. Jones hit Gibat with a pass inside the box, giving
Gibat her first goal the season.
Jones claimed a goal of her own in the 76th minute as
she broke away from the defense due to a leading pass from
Cassie Castle. Jones continued towards the
goal and beat the goalkeeper with a shot to the upper right
corner.
York sealed the deal with a last minute goal off a corner
kick. Spartan freshman Alex Kauffman tallied
her first goal of her career as she knocked in her own corner kick
after it deflected of the goalkeeper's hands.
The offense wasn't the only highlight of the game for the
Spartans, the defense stepped-up big and posted their second
shutout of the season.
After an early Hood goal was waived off due to an offside
penalty, the York defense proved impenetrable. The Spartan
defense shut the door and only allowed one shot on goal the rest of
the game.
York goalkeeper Sarah Spanarkel picked up the
win while Desiree Halaka claimed the only Spartan
save of the game. Spanarkel was not tested in her 72:45 in
goal while Halaka finished the clean sheet with 17:15 of perfect
play. Rachelle Buhrman started in goal and allowed two Spartan
goals in her 68:53 of work. Kirsten Cacciola played the final 21:07
and allowed two Spartan goals. Buhrman made three saves while
Cacciola recorded two stops in her limited time in net.
York held a 25-1 edge in total shots while they also had a 7-0
bulge in corner kicks.
York looks to carry their momentum into their next game, as they
go on the road to face CAC foe Wesley at 7:00 pm on Saturday.
Written by Derek Behrenshausen, Athletic
Communications Practicum Student
Photo: Jackie Gibat scores the Spartans second goal
of the day. Photo courtesy of Zach Clabaugh www.sharpedgefoto.com
