Union, NJ (Sept. 23, 2024) - A penalty kick goal from Kalyn Keen in the 69th minute was enough as Alvernia University (3-5) defeated Kean University (4-3) 1-0 on Monday night in non-conference women's soccer action at Kean.

How it Happened

• The Cougars threatened Alvernia through the first 23 minutes, with Brynn Bock making seven early saves to keep Kean off the board.
• Alvernia's first good look of the night came in the 23rd minute as Tayler Flaherty beat a defender 25 yards out. Flaherty dribbled up a few more yards before firing a crossing shot at goal. Kean's keeper, Abigail Wing, made the save and collected the rebound to keep the game at 0-0.
• While Alvernia was prevented from taking another shot on goal in the first half, the Golden Wolves also prevented any additional shots on goal by the Cougars in the final 20 minutes of the first half as the game moved into the second half tied at 0-0.
• Kean maintained early pressure through the first 20 minutes, but it was Alvernia who would strike first. Macy McDonough drew a foul along the far edge of the box and drew the subsequent penalty kick. Kaelyn Keen stepped up to the line for Alvernia to take the PK. Keen fired low and left inside the post, and Kean's keeper dove with the shot. But, Keen's shot had enough on it to find the back of the net and beat the keeper's dive to put Alvernia on the board, 1-0, in the 69th minute.
• Kean maintained possession for nearly the rest of the game, but Alvernia's defense held strong.
• The Cougars nearly tied it in the 85th minute on a failed attempt by Alvernia to clear it in the box. Instead, Kean's Kiera Quinn was able to get a foot on it. But, Quinn was off-balance and didn't get a strong shot off, allowing Bock to make her ninth save of the night.
• Kean fired in two more shots - neither of which were on goal - in the final five minutes as Alvernia came away with the 1-0 win.

Inside the Box Score

• Alvernia finished with just two shots on goal to Kean's nine, and the Cougars outshot Alvernia 23-4 overall,
• Bock finished with nine saves in net for her second shutout of the season.

Of Note

• Tonight marked the first ever meeting between the Cougars and the Golden Wolves. 
• Alvernia's win put an end to a four-game win streak for the Cougars, and a five-game slide for the Golden Wolves.
• Keen's penalty kick goal put an end to a nearly 430 minute scoreless drought for the Golden Wolves, their longest scoreless drought since 2021.

Up Next

• Alvernia continues on with a full week of games on Wednesday at Penn State Berks. The Lions will be looking for their first win of the season following an 0-6-1 start.