ALTOONA, Pa. – Penn State Altoona women's soccer held a lead at halftime of a rainy game on Wednesday night against non-conference opponent Juniata College, but the visiting Eagles surged ahead in the second half, scoring three goals to hand the Lions a 3-1 loss at Spring Run Stadium.

Maddie DeForrest (Huntingdon, PA/Huntingdon) scored her first goal as a member of Penn State Altoona (1-5), and Mallorie Smith (Bellefonte, PA/Bellefonte) recorded an assist. Adeline Baustert (Apollo, PA/Apollo-Ridge) made two saves in goal for the Lions.

The teams appeared to be headed toward a stalemate by halftime, until Penn State Altoona came up with a goal within the final minute of the period. Smith sent a well-placed centering pass into the middle of the box, where DeForrest tapped a shot past the keeper at 44:11 to give the Lions a 1-0 advantage heading into the intermission.

But as the weather turned in the second half, so did the Lions' fortunes.

Juniata (3-2-2) scored just 4:36 into the period, capitalizing on a corner kick opportunity. Alyssa Bui's corner found Fiona McDonald in the box, and McDonald headed the ball into the top part of the goal to knot the score 1-1.

The Eagles struck quickly again, grabbing the lead less than five minutes later. Colleen O'Brien dribbled the ball up the left side of the field and fired a shot from the left corner of the box. The shot found the back of the net at 54:11, giving Juniata its first lead of the night, 2-1.

Juniata added a late insurance goal off of a Lions turnover. A long ball into Penn State Altoona's end of the field was sent backwards by the Lions, then scooped up by Grace Gibbs, who hooked a nice shot into the top left corner of the goal to give the visitors a 3-1 lead at the 84:47 mark.

Smith finished with a team-high three shot attempts and two shots on goal. DeForrest and Sadie McConnell (New Enterprise, PA/Northern Bedford) each attempted two shots with one shot on goal. Kayla Grove (Downingtown, PA/Downingtown East) recorded one shot on goal, and Anaya Phillips (Middle Island, NY/Longwood) had one shot attempt.

Penn State Altoona women's soccer remains at home for its next game, as the Lions will start their Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference schedule at Spring Run Stadium this Saturday, September 25 at 2:00 p.m. against league opponent Alfred State College.