ERIE, Pa. -- The Washington & Jefferson women's soccer team came from behind in the second half to defeat Penn State-Behrend, 6-5, on Saturday afternoon, Sept. 17.
With the game tied, 4-4, in the 82nd minute,
Tatiana Ruzzini (Bethel Park, Pa./Bethel Park) faked out a defender and scored to the top left corner to give the Presidents the late lead. The goal marked Ruzzini's first career hat trick. 27 seconds later, the Presidents were awarded a penalty kick. Ruzzini deposited the shot to extend her single-game career high to take a 6-4 lead, her team-leading seventh goal of the season.
The Lions opened the scoring in the game with a goal in the second minute of play. Ruzzini responded for the Presidents with goals in the 11th and 20th minutes with assists coming from
Brianna Floryshak (Berwick, Pa./Berwick Area) and
Josie Madden (McKeesport, Pa./Elizabeth Forward), respectively. The Lions scored the next two goals, however, to take a 3-2 lead into halftime.
In the 56th minute,
Jillian Bartman (Finleyville, Pa./Ringgold) tied the game with her first goal of the season, assisted by
Nicole Walters (Cranberry Township, Pa./Seneca Valley). After the Lions regained the lead in the 66th minute, Bartman struck again in the 73rd minute when she volleyed home
Mariah Lockard's (Pittsburgh, Pa./Penn Hills) corner kick to tie the game again.
The Lions tacked on their fifth goal of the game in the 90th minute, but only 13 seconds were left on the clock.
Beth Boyles (Dundee, Ohio/Hiland) (2-0) got the win for the Presidents after starting the second half, making two saves.
Allison Rinehimer (Berwick, Pa./Berwick Area) started in net for the Presidents and made four saves in the first half. Mackenzie Troyan (3-3) took the loss for the Lions, making one save in 90 minutes.
Ashton Grimm (Connellsville, Pa./Connellsville/Saint Francis (Pa.)) recorded three shots in the game while
Jordan Toohey (Mount Pleasant, Pa./Mount Pleasant/Saint Francis (Pa.)) got off two shots, one on goal, and added an assist.
The Presidents return to the pitch on Wednesday, Sept. 21, when they host Franciscan for a 7 p.m. nonconference matchup.