The #5-seed Lancaster Bible College Women's Soccer team notched a playoff victory on Saturday afternoon in the United East Quarterfinals, defeating #4-seed Penn St. Berks on the road by a score of 1-0 to keep their season alive. The Chargers improve to 7-7-2 overall and advance to the United East Semifinals while the Lions end their season at 9-7-2 overall.
How it Happened:
The Chargers were tested early as Penn St. Berks had a shot on goal in the first six minutes, passing the test as
Saige Santa Cruz (Jr.) made a save. The Chargers then had a pair of corner kicks but could not get a shot off, then the Lions put another pair of shots on goal several minutes later in the center of the goal with Santa Cruz making stops. The Chargers' defense held on late as a Berks shot went out wide, but LBC was held without a shot in the first half as the score was 0-0 at halftime of the Quarterfinals.
The Chargers defended an early corner kick from Berks as a shot missed and an offsides was called, then about 10 minutes into the half,
Jade Weir (Gr.) had LBC's first shot of the game that went wide right.
Rayanna Wagaman (Fr.) then had two shots before a corner kick from the Lions was unsuccessful, then Santa Cruz made another stop in goal that got the Chargers out in transition. In that transition,
Isabella Eufemia (Sr.) worked her way up the sideline and launched the ball towards the box, finding Wagaman there as she tipped the pass and buried the score, giving Lancaster Bible a 1-0 advantage on the road to break the drought. The defense kicked into high gear for the Chargers down the stretch as they held the Lions without a shot in the final 20 minutes, holding off Berks and securing the road victory to punch their ticket to the conference Semifinals.
By the Numbers:
Team Stats
- Shots: Lancaster Bible 7, Penn St. Berks 7
- Shots on Goal: Lancaster Bible 2,
Penn St. Berks 4
- Corner Kicks: Lancaster Bible 3,
Penn St. Berks 4
Scoring Summary
69' LBC –
Rayanna Wagaman (8) [
Isabella Eufemia (4)]
Goalkeeping
-
Saige Santa Cruz (LBC): 4 Saves, 0 GA, WIN (6-6-2), SHO (4)
- Riley Fisher (PSB): 1 Save, 1 GA, LOSS (9-7-2)
Information to Know:
The Chargers are now 3-3 all-time against Penn St. Berks in the postseason and have their first playoff win over the Lions since the 2012 United East Championship game after losing their previous three matchups. The Chargers have notched their first-ever road playoff victory as they traveled to Reading, Pa. and defeated Penn St. Berks today. This will be the Chargers sixth appearance in the conference Semifinals in program history and their first since 2021, earning their ninth playoff victory all-time for a 9-10-2 postseason record overall and their second since the conference rebranded to the United East.
Rayanna Wagaman becomes the seventh player in Chargers history with a game-winning playoff goal and is the fourth active player with a goal in the postseason.
Isabella Eufemia became just the seventh player in program history with multiple playoff assists and is tied for fourth all-time with four playoff points (1 goal, 2 assists).
Up Next:
The #5-seed Chargers have advanced to the Semifinal Round of the United East Women's Soccer Championship where they will travel to Middletown, Pa. on Wednesday, November 4 to take on top-seeded Penn St. Harrisburg at 7:00 p.m. for a trip to the conference championship game.
