Erie, PA - The D'Youville women's soccer team took the reigning conference champion Penn State-Behrend Lions to double overtime on Tuesday evening, falling to the Lions by the final score of 2-1.

The D'Youville defense was up to the task of taking on the high-powered Behrend attack throughout the first half as the Lions generated a great deal of offense. Goalkeeper Laurie Poeller (Akron, NY/Akron) was big for the women as she made four saves through the first 22 minutes of action, but her stout defense helped limit Behrend low-quality shots.

As the half wore on, Poeller continued to play extremely well as she made numerous saves while the defense and midfield did not allow a goal from the Lions as the two teams went into the half scoreless.

Behrend outshot D'Youville 4-1 through the first 15 minutes of the second half, but the Spartans were starting to pose a threat to the Lions in the offensive end. In the 68th minute, D'Youville was finally able to break through as the women were able to counter-attack quickly with Aussie Mariacher (Elma, NY/Iroquois) bringing the ball down the throat of the Lion's defense. She then laid the ball off to the left to Jordan Pachla (Grand Island, NY/Grand Island) who ripped a shot past the Behrend keeper for the game's first goal.

With the Spartans holding firm on defense after their goal, it appeared as if they were going to be able to take down the conference champs. However in the 84th minute, Behrend scored an equalizer off a corner kick to tie the game and send it to overtime.

The first overtime was very similar to regulation with the Lions bringing wave after wave of attack. Despite the pressure, the Spartan defense did not crack as the teams went to a second overtime.

In the 104th minute, Behrend would earn a corner and a fantastic piece of attacking found the back of the D'Youville net as the Lions won the game 2-1.

Poeller was outstanding in the game, making 20 saves in the game as she was on the top of her game throughout the evening. Cassie Brooks (Grand Island, NY/Grand Island), Dominique Riforgiato (Fredonia, NY/Fredonia), Isabella Lucania (Webster, NY/Webster-Schroeder), Anna Hayes (Hamburg, NY/St. St. Mary Academy), and Sarah Milczarski (Newfane, NY/Newfane) were all extremely active in the defensive end throughout the night while the midfield of Marina Campbell (Niagara Falls, NY/Niagara Catholic), Kaylee Heschke (Newfane, NY/Newfane), and Maggie Leeds (Lockport, NY/Akron) were major assets to the defense as well.

Pachla, Campbell, and Makenna Magee (Ellenburg Center, NY/Northern Adirondack) accounted for the three shots from the women, with Pachla's finding the back of the net.

D'Youville will next play this Saturday, October 5 as they play at Pitt.-Greensburg at 4:15pm.