Jablonski game winner lifts Knight's to C'Wealth Finals

GLENSIDE, PA: (Nov. 3, 2010) - Senior forward Janelle Jablonski (Orchard Park, NY/Orchard Park) converted a pass from first year Sara Volk-Perez (Mays Landing, NJ/Oakcrest) in the 56th minute of today's women's soccer Commonwealth Conference semifinal round game to lift #2 Arcadia University to a 1-0 victory over #3 Lebanon Valley College. With today's victory, the Knights advance to Saturday's league championship game to face the winner of tonight's other semifinal round game featuring the #1 Messiah Falcons and #4 Alvernia Crusaders.

The Knights controlled possession throughout the first half as the Dutchmen were only able to get into their offensive zone on a handful of occassions. LVC keeper Sami Young made numerous key stops on the Knight's attackers, turning away Arcadia senior Katie O'Malley (Coatesville, PA/Coatesville Area) twice and junior Ashley Knuepple (Toms River, NJ/Toms River North) three times in the first half alone. In the 31st minute Arcadia nearly lit up the scoreboard on a shot from the right side to the left from Volk-Perez that trickled just inches from the left goal post. With under seven seconds to play in the half LVC's Sara Drabenstadt sent her team's only shot on goal of the half into the gloves of Arcadia keeper Jackie Law (Scotch Plains, NJ/Scotch Plains Fanwood) and the two teams entered the half tied at zero.

The Dutchmen registered the first scoring chance of the second half when Lindi Christ send a ball into Law's gloves in the 49th minute and shortly afterwards failed to convert on two corners opportunities. In the 56th minute, the Knights held possession and as play switched from left to right inside the box, Volk-Perez fed Jablonski who made no mistake on her fourth goal of the season at 56:51. It was the first game winner of the season for Jablonski and Volk-Perez's 4th assist. Young would make two more saves against O'Malley in the 65th and 68th minute before her team would manage another shot on goal. This time is would be LVC's Sara Wannlund in the 75th minute to test the hands of Law, and sure enough the two-time All Commonwealth First Team keeper was there to deny the Dutchmen the equalizer. Law would make one more save on Ely Kirkhoff in the 80th minute to hold on for her 10th shutout of the season and help her Knights to their second straight appearance in the Commonwealth Conference Championship Finals.

Junior Brittany Drosdak (Allentown, PA/Allentown Central Catholic), first year Rachel Dolly (Quakertown, PA/Quakertown), junior Amy Lupfer (Andover, NJ/Newton), Kyrastin Cook (Murrysville, PA/Franklin Regional) and CJ McDonnell (Glenwood, IL/Homewood-Flossmoor) held the midfield and defense tight against LVC's top scorer's, allowing the Dutchmen just 9 shots, 5 of which were on net. Arcadia out-shot LVC 15-9 and held the 10-4 advantage in corners. Fouls were even at seven apiece. Law made 5 saves for her 14th win of the season while Sami Young took the loss with 9 saves against the Knights. Today's win is the 6th straight for Arcadia who improves to 15-3-1 overall. LVC ends their season at 10-8-2.

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