Bacon Sizzles As Royals Win Sixth Straight

September 24, 2013

Freshman forward Kelsey Bacon (Macungie, Pa./Emmaus) scored with 84 seconds left in regulation to force overtime, then scored on a penalty kick 7:07 into overtime to lead The University of Scranton women’s soccer team to its sixth straight victory, 2-1 over Muhlenberg on Tuesday evening at Fitzpatrick Field.

Bacon saved the Royals (6-2) when she scored late in regulation after taking a perfect feed from fellow freshman forward Christina Akalaski (Long Beach, N.J./Kellenberg Memorial) from about 10 yards out on the right side. Her shot lofted over the Muhlenberg keeper into the top of the net, capping a furious offensive effort in the final 20 minutes of regulation.

Then in overtime, Scranton gained a throw-in in its own end and sent the ball deep downfield toward senior forward Samantha Russo (Yorktown Heights, N.Y./Yorktown). Russo outfought a defender for possession and dribbled toward goal. The Mules’ keeper came out and Russo sent the ball laterally away from the keeper, who tripped her up, earning the Royals a penalty shot.

Playing just her seventh career game at the college level, Bacon calmly stepped up and smoothly sent the ball low into the right corner to touch of a joyous celebration at the end of a match that looked for 88 minutes like Scranton would lose.

The Royals trailed for most of the match after the Mules (3-4-1) scored in the 12^th minute on a goal by senior midfielder C.J. Graetzer (Mahwah, N.J./Immaculate Heart Academy). Graetzer gained control from about 40 yards out and launched a shot that perfectly snuck over the outstretched arms of Royals senior goalkeeper Kelsey McAnelly (West Chester, Pa./Villa Maria Academy).

Muhlenberg was then content to pack the defense in and keep the Royals from getting any space within 25 yards of the goal. The strategy worked for most of the second half as Scranton had 14 shots in the period, but only three on goal. But the Royals kept pushing forward and eventually broke through with 1:24 to play on Bacon’s goal.

The two goals give Bacon a team-high six on the season. She also has a pair of assists for a team-high 14 points. She also scored late in the second half to force overtime against Farmingdale State last Saturday, a game the Royals won in overtime on Russo’s goal.

Scranton outshot the Mules, 23-5, and had six corner kicks to one for Muhlenberg. McAnelly made one save to earn her 29^th career victory. Mules senior goalie Amanda Wong (Bridgewater, N.J./Bridgewater-Raritan) had eight saves in the loss.

The Royals are back in action on Saturday, Sept. 28, when they open Landmark Conference play at Juniata at 1 p.m. in Huntingdon, Pa.

--ROYALS--