Box Score

JOHNSTOWN, Pa. – Senior Alex Pickett scored a pair of goals, including the game-winner with 7:48 left in regulation, to help East Stroudsburg hold off Pitt-Johnstown for a 3-2 road victory on Friday afternoon.

Freshman Philippa Borjesson added her first collegiate goal for the Warriors (10-3-1, 9-2-1 PSAC), who remained unbeaten in six lifetime meetings with the Mountain Cats (4-9, 4-8 PSAC).

Leigh Appolonia made seven saves in goal to keep UPJ within range throughout the afternoon despite a 23-7 advantage in shots for ESU. Pickett's go-ahead strike, off a cross from sophomore Haley Skove, came on the Warriors' 10th shot attempt of the second half.

Borjesson opened up the scoring at 15:45 when she volleyed in a failed clear attempt by the home side. UPJ responded only 14 seconds later with a goal from Sam Roberts, as the Mountain Cats registered their first-ever goal in the series after being outscored 22-0 in the previous five contests.

The deadlock did not last long, with Pickett putting in a rebound in the 21st minute after an initial attempt by junior Hannah Saggese was fired off the post.

The Warriors had eight of the final 10 shots in the first half following Pickett's first marker, but were unable to add to their advantage. UPJ leveled up the score again in the 62nd minute when Emily Esser headed in a cross by teammate Abby LaDuke.

Despite the setback, ESU continued to control a majority of the play, holding a 12-3 shot advantage after the intermission. Junior Nicole Abbott nearly put the visitors back in front in the 66th minute, as her shot on goal beat Appolonia but was cleared away by the UPJ backline.

With her game-winner, Pickett is now tied with junior Monica Wood for the team lead with 14 points on the year (4 G, 6 A). She had seven of ESU's 23 shots in this afternoon's victory.

The Mountain Cats entered the fall having won a combined three games over their first five seasons in the PSAC. They have already surpassed that total through their first 13 contests in 2018.

The Warriors return to Eiler-Martin Stadium for a key matchup against No. 23 Bloomsburg at 1 p.m. on Sunday. The teams will enter tied for first place in the PSAC standings with 28 points apiece after the Huskies (9-2-1, 9-2-1 PSAC) topped Seton Hill by a 1-0 final this afternoon.