CHESTER, Pa. (Sept. 6, 2016) – Freshman Rachel Hafer (Reading, Pa.) scored her first collegiate goal to help lead the Widener University women's soccer team to a 1-0 victory over Franklin & Marshall on Tuesday evening at Leslie C. Quick Stadium.
 
After receiving a pass from classmate Lexi Slusher (Pennsville, N.J.) inside the box, Hafer found herself in a primary position to score with only the Diplomat goalkeeper to beat. Shannon Johnson-Finn saved an initial attempt fired by Hafer, but the Widener freshman collected her own rebound and was able to finish on the open net to give the hosts the lead in the 31st minute.
 
Franklin & Marshall (1-2) came out with a vengeance in the second half and outshot Widener by a 10-2 margin during the final 45 minutes of play. The Pride defense being anchored by sophomores Brooke Palmieri (Erial, N.J.) and Shea Scannell (Linwood, N.J.), however, held its ground. Reanna Leoni had a good look she fired high due to being disrupted by a Widener defender in the 74th minute, while Emily O'Hara, Hannah Robertson and Leoni all had shots blocked by the Pride's back line. The ball was eventually cleared away in the waning seconds, allowing the hosts to survive and escape with their second one-goal win of the season.
 
Freshman Jenna Keating (Havertown, Pa.) made five saves to earn her first collegiate shutout for Widener, which avenged last season's overtime loss to the Diplomats in Lancaster. Johnson-Finn was charged with the loss for surrendering the goal before being relieved by Nicole Savidge immediately following the decisive play.
 
Widener (2-1) will conclude a four-game homestand when it hosts Washington College of the Centennial Conference on Saturday, Sept. 10 at 2:30 p.m.