The Collegian
Friday, March 29, 2024

Women's soccer team defeats U.Penn off penalty kick in 2nd OT

A double-overtime penalty kick goal from senior halfback Sarah Hilt lifted the University of Richmond women's soccer team to a 1-0 victory over the University of Pennsylvania Quakers Friday night at First Market Stadium.

The penalty kick was awarded midway through the second overtime period after a Quakers defender tackled Richmond junior midfielder Kelsey Rdzanek inside the goal box. Hilt, the Spiders' designated penalty kick taker, beat Quakers goalkeeper Caroline Williams with a shot to the lower left corner of the goal.

"Hilt shows no emotion," Richmond coach Peter Albright said. "She takes the kick in a pressure situation and she has done very well."

This is the second time this season that Hilt has scored on a penalty kick for the Spiders only goal of the game. She also converted on a penalty in the Spiders 1-0 win over Virginia Commonwealth University earlier this year.

Richmond kept its opponent from scoring for its fifth shutout of the year. In previous games, goalkeeper Andrea Young has not had to work for her shutouts, but she earned this one, Albright said.

"Andrea played very well," he said. "It's encouraging because we know she's good, but she hadn't really been tested."

The Spiders missed a number of opportunities to score earlier in the game, but were able to hold off a strong effort by Penn, especially at the start of the second half.

"We survived a really good onslaught from Penn at the beginning of the second half," Albright said. "But the last 25 minutes of regulation and both overtimes were all us.

"The team understands that we have to work really, really hard to win. I'm just happy that their hard work was rewarded with a win."

Richmond improved to 6-1-1 with the win. The team has a week off before it will begin playing Atlantic 10 conference opponents Friday, beginning with a game at the University of Dayton.

"On paper, Dayton's the best team in the league," Albright said. "We aren't worried about the rest of the league, we're just looking at the next game."

Contact staff writer Reilly Moore at reilly.moore@richmond.edu

Enjoy what you're reading?
Signup for our newsletter

Support independent student media

You can make a tax-deductible donation by clicking the button below, which takes you to our secure PayPal account. The page is set up to receive contributions in whatever amount you designate. We look forward to using the money we raise to further our mission of providing honest and accurate information to students, faculty, staff, alumni and others in the general public.

Donate Now