(box score)
Junior Jen Harnden (Hershey, PA) scored a game-high five goals, including the go-ahead tally with just 3:58 left that propelled Widener to a 13-12 Middle Atlantic Conference victory over Arcadia at Edith R. Dixon Field.
Widener controlled play for much of the first half. Freshman Amy Albano (Columbia, MD) opened the scoring just 1:48 into the contest and Harnden scored twice in just over two minutes to give the Pride a 4-1 lead with 12:02 left in the first half.
After a 3-1 run for Arcadia, Widener closed the period with four unanswered over the final 4:40 to take a 9-4 lead into halftime. Albano and junior Rachel Porter (Medford, NJ) combined for a pair within 13 seconds of each other, and seniors Mellany Broomall (Clarksboro, NJ) and Calina Walz (Medford, NJ) each scored in the final minute, separated by just 24 seconds.
Arcadia began to shift the momentum early in the second half. The Knights scored the first three of the period, all within the first 4:19 to close to within 9-7. Widener scored two of the next three in just over the next 10 minutes, but Arcadia reeled off three straight, including Kreena Patel's second of the half, to knot the score at 11-11 with 9:11 left.
Harnden scored her fourth of the contest just 1:40 later to regain the Widener lead, only to be answered by another Arcadia goal from Jen Ng with 4:59 to play. But Harnden's fifth and final tally proved to be the game-winner. Widener possessed the ball for all but five seconds of the final three minutes.
Walz notched two goals and two assists for the Pride (8-8, 5-6 MAC). Harnden chipped in four draw controls, and sophomore Sarah Hollywood (Mullica Hill, NJ) totaled three ground balls and four caused turnovers. Junior Linda Salcedo (Media, PA) total 10 saves for the win.
Patel and Meghan Fallon totaled three goals apiece for the Knights (7-8, 4-7).
Widener on Friday wraps up its regular season schedule as it hosts Alvernia in Middle Atlantic Conference action at 7:00 pm. The Pride will also be participating in their final installment of the spring season for the MAC ATtaCk on Hunger.
