Brandywine Rallies To Top Schuylkill In PSUAC Semifinals; Advances To PSUAC Title Game

MEDIA, Pa. -- Jess James (Yardley, Pa./Pennsbury) scored a pair of second-half goals as the second-seeded Penn State Brandywine women's soccer team overcame a one-goal deficit and defeated third-seeded Penn State Schuylkill 2-1 during the Penn State University Athletic Conference Tournament semifinals on Saturday afternoon.

The victory sends Brandywine back to State College and the PSUAC Championship for the second-straight year and the seventh time overall in eight seasons as a varsity program. The Lions won four consecutive conference championships from 2016-19.

Following a scoreless opening half, Schuylkill struck early in the second period. Nia Bronson's long throw in was collected by Grace Fenstermacher, who lofted a shot over the outstretched hands of Brandywine goalkeeper Demareste Dorvilma (Carteret, N.J./Carteret) for the match's opening goal just 32 seconds into the half.

Brandywine found the equalizer just over seven minutes later off the foot of James, who scored for the eighth and ninth times against Schuylkill in three matches this season. Jaylin Berrios (Lancaster, Pa./McCaskey) sent a free kick to James, who collected the ball and stroked the game-tying score at the 52:40 mark.

James' second goal of the day gave the Lions the lead for good during the 76th minute. She took a pass from Hope Priemon (Springfield, Pa./Springfield), beat a defender, and found the back of the net for the 19th time this fall.

Brandywine clung to its one-goal edge, holding Schuylkill without a shot the rest of the way to preserve the victory.

James recorded three of Brandywine's 11 shots on goal, while Zoey Lineman (West Deptford, N.J./GCIT) produced a team-high four. Dorvilma made four stops in net to earn the victory.

Brandywine (10-6-1) will have a rematch of the 2022 title game Tuesday in State College against top-seeded Penn State Mont Alto. The championship match is slated to kick off a 6:30 PM at Panzer Stadium.