READING, PA – Taylor Gollin's (Springfield, NJ/Jonathan Dayton) 34th minute goal proved to be the difference maker on Wednesday night as the Wilkes University women's soccer team claimed their first win of the season in a non-conference matchup with Albright College at Shirk Stadium.
 
The Colonels' victory brings their record to 1-2-3 while the Lions fell to 3-3-1.
 
Erin Somerville (Warminster, PA/William Tennent) set the tone early on offense when she recovered an Albright turnover deep in the Lions' zone and fired it on goal, forcing McKenna LeVan to make a save at 2:02.
 
The Colonels' defense did their part in keeping Albright off the scoresheet in the 11th minute of play when they fended off scoring chances on back-to-back corner kicks for the Lions.
 
Sarah Eliff (Owings, MD/Northern) picked up the second Wilkes shot of the night when she tried to beat the keeper down low, however LeVan made the save at 18:42.
 
Colonels goalkeeper Hannah Landis (Red Hill, PA/Upper Perkiomen) was tested for the first time at 21:18 when she scooped up a low shot by Alyssa DeVita to keep the game scoreless.
 
Albright's offense made another press in the 27th minute when Nyla Callahan slipped by a defender, finding herself alone against Landis. The Colonels' goalkeeper came up large once again, making a diving save and buying her teammates time to run back and defend the goal.
 
The first year midfielder Gollin broke the tie when she played a redirected pass through traffic and sent a shot on goal that beat the Lions' keeper to the right side. Gollin's first collegiate goal gave Wilkes a 1-nil lead at 33:12.
 
After the first 45 minutes of play, Wilkes maintained a 1-nil lead and outshot Albright 10-3.
 
Albright's offense made an early push coming out of halftime, causing Landis to turn away a shot just 31 seconds into the second half.
 
The Colonels responded with a stretch of offensive pressure of their own in the 57th minute but were unable to break through the Lions defenders.
 
Landis preserved the Colonels' lead at 69:10 when she made another diving save on Nyla Callahan, who was rushing to the net on a partial breakaway.
 
LeVan made a pivotal save for Albright at 76:10 after Eliff intercepted a pass in front of the goal and danced around a pair of defenders. The save kept it a one-goal game with under 14 minutes remaining.
 
Wilkes continued to protect their lead and when the horn sounded after 90 minutes, the Colonels had secured their first victory of the season.
 
Landis posted her third shutout of the season with five saves for Wilkes. On the offensive side, Eliff led all Colonels with two shots on net as Gollin scored the lone goal.

For the Lions, Levan stopped four shots while Callahan registered two shots on goal.
 
Wilkes returns to Bruggeworth Field on Saturday when they host Susquehanna University in the Colonels' first-ever Landmark Conference match. Kickoff is scheduled for 3:30.