MONT ALTO, Pa. – The Cairn University women's soccer team bounced back in a big way, shutting out the Nittany Lions of Penn State Mont Alto on the road on Saturday afternoon by a score of 3-0, marking their second win of the 2022 season.
 
"Our offense has really started clicking and we played some creative soccer with a lot of movement and freedom." remarked Head Coach Kailey Bartholomew. "We finished some good chances, had one off the post and could've had a few more. Overall, our defense played well, we finished with a clean sheet and scored three goals to go along with the win."
 
The offense for Cairn (2-2) was full of action early to start the match. Junior forward Em Kuansongtham (Bangkok, Thailand / International Community School) got the Highlanders on the scoreboard in the 16^th minute of play, after finding some space on a touch from junior defender Grace Miller (Chapel Hill, NC / Central Bucks West) to put the Highlanders on top, 1-0.
 
Penn State Mont Alto (0-3) tried for an immediate answer from Nicole Jones, but it was to no avail. A goal by sophomore forward Julia Wright (Harrisonville, PA / Shalom Christian Academy) in the 34^th minute on a run from junior midfielder Teresa Lee (Jackson, NJ / Calvary Academy) extended the Highlander lead to 2-0 to end the half. Cairn drew a penalty in the 58^th minute, resulting in a penalty kick goal from Lee past the diving Nittany Lions goalkeeper to set the score at 3-0. Despite five late shots in the closing minutes from Penn State Mont Alto, the Highlanders secured the shutout victory.
 
The Highlanders out shot Penn State Mont Alto on the day (18-13), while the Nittany Lions held the slight advantage in corner kick opportunities (3-2). Lee led the Highlanders with five shots and a goal (along with an assist), followed by Kuansongtham with four shots and a goal. Senior forward Emily Minard (Columbus, NJ / Life Center Academy) added three shots late in the winning effort. Sophomore goalkeeper Isabelle Lazor (Midland Park, NJ / Eastern Christian School) secured nine saves in her complete-game shutout performance.
 
"Again and again our team responds well to adversity from things that are out of our control." added Bartholomew. "We are very proud of the girls as we continue to come together and grow this family culture and winning attitude."
 
The Highlanders return to action at home in Langhorne on Tuesday against non-conference foe Penn State Schuylkill under the lights inside the Stillman Complex at 7 p.m.