READING, Pa. – The Westminster College women's soccer team defeated Alfred University, 3-2, in the Eastern College Athletic Conference (PAC) First Round on Saturday afternoon.
 
The game was held at neutral site Albright College. Westminster improved its overall record to 16-5-1, while Alfred ended the season with an 11-8 record.
 
Alfred scored first in the 25^th minute off a penalty kick by Emily Wright to give Saxons a 1-0 lead. Alfred would lead by the same at halftime. Just two minutes into the second half, Westminster junior Kayla Trozzi (Monroeville, PA / Gateway) scored her 10^th goal of the season to tie the game at one. Junior Gabrielle Diamond (Moon Township, PA / Moon) was credited with the assist, her first of the year. In the 51^st minute, Alfred regained the lead (2-1) off the foot of Abigail Austin. Just two minutes later, in the 53^rd minute, senior Keely Birsic (North Ridgeville, OH / Elyria Catholic) converted a penalty kick, her third PK of the season and 13^th goal overall, to tie the game at two. At the 62:48 mark, Birsic connected with the back of the net from 25-yards out, giving Westminster its first lead of the contest (3-2). The Titans held on the rest of the way.
 
Birsic tallied two goals, two shots on goal, and her third multi-goal game of the season. Trozzi recorded two shots and two shots on goal, while sophomore Natalie Schwarz (Hudson, OH / Hudson) had one shot and one shot on goal.
 
Westminster next plays Albright College in the Quarterfinals at Albright Sunday, Nov. 11 starting at 12 p.m.