WSOC10-27

ESU-Bloomsburg Women's Soccer

EAST STROUDSBURG - Alea Balthaser scored two goals and had an assist as Bloomsburg, the defending Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference women's soccer champion, improved its playoff hopes by beating East Stroudsburg University, 5-0, Wednesday.

Balthaser, a sophomore from Hamburg, improved her season scoring totals to 17 goals and 12 assists. Christine Krebs, Stacy Arrison and Renee Williams had the other goals for the Huskies, who led, 4-0, at halftime.

Mandy Gillespie made three saves to post the shutout, her seventh of the season.

Bloomsburg improved its PSAC record to 6-3 and needs only to beat California at home Saturday to clinch third place and a berth in next week's playoffs. West Chester and Lock Haven, both 8-1, have clinched the first two places.

ESU, last year's conference runner-up, dropped to 9-8-1 overall and 3-6 in PSAC play. The Warriors have two games remaining, both at home against Millersville for Super Soccer Sunday and Binghamton Monday.

Bloomsburg (14-5, 6-3) 4-1 5

East Stroudsburg (9-8-1, 3-6) 0-0 0

BU - Stacy Arrison (Liz Donnelly), 8:56

BU - Alea Balthaser (unassisted), 22:51

BU - Renee Williams (unassisted), 33:31

BU - Balthaser (unassisted), 42:25

BU - Christine Krebs (Balthaser), 73:34

Shots: ESU 4, Bloomsburg 13; Corner Kicks: ESU 3, Bloomsburg 10; Goalie Saves: ESU - Angela Scolaro 5, Bloomsburg - Mandy Gillespie 3.

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