Sprung ahead by four second-half goals, the second-seeded Penn College defeated No. 7 Wilson, 5-1 in the United East women’s soccer quarterfinals this past weekend. The Wildcats improved their record to 15-0-4 while ending Wilson’s 2024 campaign at 13-4-2.

Penn College hosts a semifinal match on Wednesday, Nov. 6 against the winner of No. 3 St. Mary’s and No. 6 Lancaster Bible.

Penn College’s offense navigated through a packed Wilson defense for much of the first half until the Wildcats broke through on a set-piece in the 33rd minute when Makayla Bucks inserted a corner kick and Cassie Johnson got above the defense to head in the opening goal. Penn College took its 1-0 advantage into the break where the team regrouped and planned its second half attack. Just nine minutes into the second half, the Wildcats’ leading scorer, Megan Kurian floated her 26th goal of the season over the Wilson keeper’s outstretched arm with an assist from Olivia Casella.

The Phoenix cut the lead in half with a goal in the 70th minute before the Wildcats tacked on three goals to close out the contest. In the 75th minute, Kathryn Dunn weaved through the Wilson back line and netted her third goal of the season, Brooke Klinger punched in a goal from a Johnson corner in the 79th minute and Johnson put on the finishing touch with her second goal of the afternoon in the 87th minute.

Penn College outshot Wilson, 16-9 and held a slight 7-6 shot-on-goal advantage while the two sides both had four corners. Nicole Lichtinger turned away five Phoenix shots to earn her 11th victory of the season.