Kutztown, Pa. – Kutztown's Shannon Pennock gave her team a 2-1 victory over No. 8 Mercyhurst with a strike during the first overtime in a season-opening women's soccer contest Friday, Aug. 28 at Kutztown.

Mercyhurst held an early advantage, outshooting the Golden Bears 6-3 during the first 45 minutes. Kutztown attempted three shots on goal in the first half, while the Lakers' lone shot on net resulted in the season's first marker.

The Lakers struck first, as freshman forward Danielle Braun notched her first career goal at 36:01 of the first half. Her unassisted tally came on a blast to the left corner of the net.

During the second half, Mercyhurst battled to maintain its hold on the lead while both teams fired three shots on goal. Kutztown finally broke through in the 85th minute, as Chelsea Bressler's shot from in front found the back of the net to tie the game at one goal apiece. The remaining minutes of regulation failed to produce a winner, necessitating overtime.

Kutztown's Shannon Pennock took a pass from Jen Pyne during the first minute of overtime and chipped a shot over Laker keeper Amanda John to give the Golden Bears their first-ever win over Mercyhurst in seven attempts. The Lakers defeated the Golden Bears 2-1 in the season opener at Kutztown one season ago.

For the match, Kutztown held a 12-11 advantage in shot attempts, including 7-5 in shots on goal and took six corner kicks to the Lakers' four.

Mercyhurst's Amanda John made five saves in her first collegiate start, while Alysaa Hackelberg earned the victory with four stops.

Braun is the first Mercyhurst women's soccer player to score a goal in her first contest for the Lakers since Sarah Powell struck twice and Lisa Melander notched one marker in their collegiate debut Aug. 25, 2005, a 7-0 victory over Clarion.

Mercyhurst falls to 0-1-0 on the season, while Kutztown, predicted to finish fourth in the PSAC East preseason poll, is now 1-0-0 in 2009.

The Lakers will host Urbana Sunday at 1 p.m. for their home opener at Mercyhurst Soccer Field, where they went 7-1-3 during the 2008 season.

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