CALIFORNIA, Pa. – The Mansfield University women's soccer team came away with a monumental 2-1 victory as they took on the California University of Pennsylvania at the Phillipsburg Soccer Facility in California, Pa. on Saturday, September 29^th.
 
The Mounties had been knocking on the door all week long as this win comes after a stretch of two brilliantly played games, one which came against #25 Millersville University. The 2-1 win over California was the program's first under Head Coach John Shaffer and snapped a 31-game losing streak.
 
The Mountaineers earned a free kick just eight minutes into the contest, with Chelsea Thomas taking the kick. Thomas placed the free kick into the box where Bria Bittiger connected on the cross to give Mansfield a 1-0 lead. It was Bittiger's third goal of the season in just as many games.
 
Mansfield struck quickly again when Alexis Bittel collected a pass from McNichol. The junior midfielder Bittel struck a shot past the keeper just two minutes into the second half to put the Mounties up 2-0.
 
The Vulcans responded almost exactly ten minutes later. Zana Ross netted her third goal of the season on a pass from Danielle Koehler and cut the Mounties lead in half.
 
With that 2-1 lead on the line, Mansfield faced pressure from California for the entirety of the second half. The Vulcans proceeded to take 10 shots in the remaining 30 minutes of play in an effort to at least force overtime. Despite the stressful attack of the Vulcans, Stephanie Moir and her line of defenders were able to turn aside those opportunities. The freshman keeper tallied nine saves on the day, and Bittel's goal proved to be the historic game-winner as the Mounties were able to fend off California.
 
For Mansfield, Eleni Gebbia and Bittiger both took two shots, while Cay McNichol and Bittel also provided a shot in the win. Breanna Murphy, Sierra Austin, Nicolette DeSalvatore, and Thomas each played the entirety of the 90-minute match. The Mounties are now tied with the Vulcans, Edinboro, and Clarion in the PSAC.

The Mountaineers return to action next weekend as they face the Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Crimson Hawks in Indiana, Pa. at 1:30 p.m.