Box Score YORK, PA – The York College women's soccer team suffered a tough 2-1 Capital Athletic Conference loss to Salisbury University on Senior Day in York. The loss drops the Spartans into a must-win game on Wednesday to capture the final home field berth in the upcoming conference tournament.
The Sea Gulls improve to 10-4-3 overall and 7-1 in the conference as they solidify their hold on second place in the league. The Spartans fall to 8-5-3 overall and are now 4-3-1 in the conference with one game to play.
The Sea Gulls struck early as Logan O'Meara collected a rebound off her own blocked shot, took two touches and blasted a shot that Spartan keeper Melanie Glessner (Waldorf, Md./Thomas Stone) tipped before the ball found the back of the net in the fifth minute of play, staking the Sea Gulls to the early advantage.
The Spartans steadied themselves and had some solid chances but the Salisbury defense was stoudt as they turned the Spartans away multiple times during that stretch of play. The Sea Gulls added to their lead in the 30th minute when Heather Deamond fed a ball down the right sideline. Victoria Luc collected the long pass just before it crossed the end line and blasted a pass across the goal mouth. Ruthie Lucas, who had just entered the game for the Gulls, poked the ball into the goal just inside the far left post, giving Salisbury a two-goal margin.
The Spartans bounced back in the opening minutes of the second half as sophomore Shyanne Kimbrough (York, Pa./West York) single-handedly got the Green and White on the board. Kimbrough took an initial shot that was cleared off the line by Salisbury defender Jackie Holtzman. The ball rebounded to Kimbrough who slotted the ball past Holtzman for Spartan goal. The goal was Kimbrough's fourth of the season.
Spartan senior Traci Mohl (Lebanon, Pa./Lebanon Catholic) looked like she notched the equalizer four minutes later but a very late offsides call negated the goal as the Sea Gulls continued to hold the lead.
York had a few other chances in the second half but either missed shots just wide or would be unable to get the finishing touch as the Gulls hung on for the victory. The win clinches a first round bye for Salisbury in the CAC tournament.
Michelle Conrad earned the win for the Gulls as she registered three saves in 90 minutes of action while Salisbury also notched a team save. Glessner started the game but was forced to leave due to injury. She played the first 30:06 of the game and allowed the two Salisbury goals. Sophomore Stevi Lukacz (Leesport, Pa./Schuylkill Valley) played well in her 59:54 in net as she didn't allow a goal in making one save.
The Spartans outshot the Sea Gulls 11-6 including 5-3 in shots on goal. The Green and White also held a 4-0 margin in corner kicks.
Prior to the match, the Spartans celebrated their eight seniors. The class of Mohl, Beth Bunn (Lothian, Md./Calverton School), Clare Chatham (Ellicott City, Md./Mount Hebron), Taylor Folk (Beavertown, Pa./Midd-West), Jordan Snook (Stewartstown, Pa./Kennard-Dale), Kayla Kovalsky (Merrick, N.Y./Kellenberg Memorial), Jenn Lindsay (North Massapequa, N.Y./Plainedge), and Glessner was recognized for their contributions to Spartan soccer over the last four years. The class has recorded 36 wins including 19 CAC victories. They also were a key part of last year's Capital Athletic Conference championship and NCAA Tournament run.
The Spartans return to action on Wednesday afternoon in their regular season finale against Penn State Harrisburg. Kick off at Graham Field is slated for 3:30 pm.
Senior photo courtesy of Scott Guise - Director of Athletic Communications
