MEADVILLE, Pa. -- Allegheny College women's soccer contended with No. 25 nationally-ranked Penn State Behrend under the lights on the Robertson Athletic Complex blue turf on Wednesday but ultimately fell by a 3-0 final score.

The first half was competitive, and at times, it looked like the Gators (1-4-0) were going to push the ranked Lions (4-0-0) to the limit in the 90-minute contest. Senior forward Emma Miller (Elyria, Ohio/Lake Ridge Academy) applied much of the early pressure as her teammates tried to feed the ball to her with long, over-the-top passes. In the 19th minute, Miller received one such pass in the box, sealed off her defender, but rifled a potential go-ahead goal over the crossbar.

Shortly after Penn State Behrend took a 1-0 lead off a penalty kick, Allegheny earned its best scoring opportunities of the night. Approximately 20 seconds later, Delaney David (Cleveland, Ohio/Brooklyn) intercepted a clearing pass from Lions goalie Riley Morningstar, but Morningstar recovered in time to make a diving stop.

In the 27th minute, a flurry in front of the net nearly led to an equalizer for the Gators. Katherine Surdykowski (Chesterfield, N.J./Northern Burlington County Regional) had a point-blank shot blocked by a defender, and the second-chance attempt by Karley Johnson (Zionsville, Ind./Zionsville Community) was frantically punched away by the goalie. The third-chance shot off Miller's foot landed into a wide-open cage with the keeper out of position, but the assistant referee waived off the goal and signaled offsides on the play.

Utilizing their depth and fresh legs in the second half, the Lions tacked on two more goals in the 52nd and 71st minutes.

Inside the Box Score

• The Gators ended the night with 12 total shots, including four on goal.
• Penn State Behrend took 24 shots, but only nine were on target.
• The Lions held a slim advantage in corner kicks, 6-to-4.
• Miller led all Gators with four shots, followed by Surdykowski with three.
• David, Johnson, and Casey Bender (Allentown, Pa./Emmaus) also recorded shots on goal.
• Allegheny goalie Madison Lemanski (Bear, Del./Delaware Military Academy) logged a game-high six saves.
• Rachel Sickeri scored twice to lead No. 25 Penn State Behrend.

News and Notes

• Despite Wednesday's loss, Allegheny still leads the all-time series vs. Penn State Behrend, 13-4-4.
• Senior forward Emily Beck (Martinsburg, W.Va./Martinsburg) made her first start of the season against the Lions.
• Allegheny's 12 shots are the most Penn State Behrend has allowed in a game this season.

Up Next
Allegheny travels to Fredonia, New York, to face Fredonia State on Saturday, September 14, at 12:00 p.m.