BETHLEHEM, Pa. --- Senior forward Valentina Margiottiello converted a penalty kick with 3:02 left in the second half to give the Moravian College women's soccer team a 2-1 Landmark Conference win over visiting Elizabethtown College Wednesday evening on John Makuvek Field.
The Greyhounds, who were playing just their second match in the last 18 days, are now 5-4-1 overall and 1-1 in Landmark Conference action.
"I'm very proud of the effort and play tonight," commented Head Coach Jeff Ykoruk. "This group just doesn't quit and they deserve to win the game tonight. I felt we had some opportunities that we didn't convert on early in the game, which allowed Etown to stay in the game.
"It was an overall team win and for all the adversity we have faced in the last week, I can't be happier for the team to feel the joy of a conference win," continued Ykoruk.
The Blue and Grey took an early lead when freshman defender Paige Weiss netted her first career goal in the eighth minute as she headed in a corner kick by Margiottiello. Moravian would continue to dominate play in the first half with sophomore forward Gabby Stelzmiller putting a pair of shots on goal, Margiottiello ripping one shot on the keeper and Weiss getting another header on goal before the intermission.
"Gabby was all over the field tonight and she created chance after chance for us," Ykoruk said. "She continues to be one of the top attacking threats in the region."
The Blue Jays would get an early shot on goal in the second half, and then put the rebounds in the back of the net to tie the match at 1-1. Elizabethtown had another opportunity ring off the cross bar before junior defender Lauren Bertucci headed another Margiottiello corner kick on goal in the 79th minute.
"Lauren was outstanding the back," noted Ykoruk. "Her level of play was amazing and she was our leader in the back."
Elizabethtown committed a foul in the box with 3:02 remaining. Margiottiello stepped up and drilled the shot into the right side of the net as she converted her second penalty kick of the season for her fourth goal of the year and ninth of her career.
"Valentina stood tall under pressure to convert on that PK," stated Ykoruk. "She was our vocal leader throughout the game and never let our team drop our level."
Greyhounds' junior goalie Jessica Lawton made four saves in the victory.
Moravian is scheduled to return to action on Saturday, October 15 in a Landmark Conference match versus The Catholic University of America beginning at 4:30 p.m. on John Makuvek Field as part of the Greyhounds' annual Homecoming celebration.
