Loftus Posts Hat-Trick in 6-1 Show out over WCCC

McKeesport, Pa. - Getting their first win of the 2015-16 season, the Penn State Greater Allegheny women's soccer team earned a 6-1 victory, Thursday afternoon, over Westmoreland County Community College.

Sophomore goalkeeper Jen Keefer (Elizabeth, Pa./Elizabeth Forward) started in net for the Lions through the first half. 14 minutes into the game sophomore midfielder Kaylin Bob (Riverdale, Ga./Forest Park) sent a pass to junior midfielder/forward Melissa Loftus (Oxford, Pa./Oxford) where she put the first one in the net to get GA on the board, 1-0.

Less than six minutes later, freshman midfielder Emily Rojas (West Mifflin, Pa./West Mifflin) blasted a ball to the keeper, moving Greater Allegheny to a 2-0 lead. In a vicious penalty kick, WCCC's Deanna Chero put one just past Keefer's fingers, cutting the deficit in half, 2-1.

With just minutes before the half, Loftus goes into a one-on-one showdown with the goalkeeper and places it right in the back of the mesh, Greater Allegheny leading 3-1 going into halftime. 

Change of keepers for the Lions came in the second half as sophomore Rachael Maiden (Pittsburgh, Pa./Thomas Jefferson). Six minutes went by before freshman forward Gaby Selmi (Sao Paulo, Brazil/Owen-Withee) set up a beautiful pass to the right side where it found the foot of Loftus, 4-1 GA alongside a Loftus hat-trick.

In the 73rd minute, sophomore midfielder Danielle Hozinek (Pittsburgh, Pa./Thomas Jefferson) intercepted a goal kick and slammed the mesh, GA advancing to 5-1. Just three minutes later, sophomore midfielder Albree Weisen (Pittsburgh, Pa./Carrick) hit the left side of the net just behind the 18, where she found the feet of Hozinek and added the 6th and final goal of the contest.

The Greater Allegheny offense ripped 31 shots through the contest as the defense allowed just four shots on goal. Keefer posted 3 shots on goal with two saves as Maiden wrapped up the last 45 minutes with one shot on goal with one save, earning herself her first win of the season.

Loftus ended the game with eight shots and six points while Rojas and Weisen took six apiece with a combined three points total. 

The Greater Allegheny Lions (1-1) look forward to opening Penn State University Athletic Conference play next Saturday, September 19th as they travel to Penn State New Kensington to square up against Penn State Schuylkill. Kick-off is set for 3 p.m.