MANSFIELD, Pa. – In its PSAC East opener, the East Stroudsburg University women's soccer team defeated Mansfield, 2-1, behind a three-point game from redshirt freshman Abby James in her collegiate debut on Saturday afternoon.

The Warriors (3-0, 1-0 PSAC East) remain undefeated through three games and pick up a win in its conference opener. The Mountaineers fall to, 1-2, 0-1 in PSAC action.

James recorded an assist on ESU's opening goal from Mikayla Moats during the fifth minute of play, and added her first career goal in the second half with a strike after a failed clear from Mansfield. It was the collegiate debut for the Nazareth High School product, who redshirted in 2021 and did not appear in the first two contests for ESU.

Notables

• Moats' goal was also the first of the season for the Blandon, Pa. native.
• James is now tied for third on the team in points with three, trailing Rebecca Kotula and Millie Smith who both have six points.  
• ESU goalkeeper Emmy Clarkson (3-0) continued her strong start to her collegiate career, making seven saves in the complete 90-minute performance for the reigning PSAC East Defensive Athlete of the Week. Through three games, she has allowed just two goals in over 250 minutes for a goal against average of 0.72 and save percentage of 0.867.
• Fellow freshman goalkeeper Samantha Merklin posted 10 saves to keep MU in the contest.  
• ESU led 17-13 on shots and 12-8 on shots on goal.
• The Warriors boasted an 8-1 advantage in corner kicks.

How it Happened

• 5' | After a throw in by Caitlin Norwood, Norwood would gain possession following a Mountie header before finding James. James immediately sent a crossing pass to Moats, who buried the lone goal of the first half with a one-timed shot to the right of the Mountie goalkeeper.
• 58' | James was able to immediately gain possession after an successful clear from the MU goalkeeper. The Nazareth native secured the second Warrior goal with a long shot to the upper right corner with no defender in front of her.
• 60' | A couple of minutes later, Mansfield was able to respond. A free kick from Katelynn Ruepel just outside the box found the back right of the goal, slicing the ESU advantage to a single goal.

Up Next

• ESU returns home on Wednesday, when Warriors host Kutztown.
• Game time is set for 7:00 p.m. at Eiler-Martin Stadium.