Redshirt junior defender Mackenzie Aunkst (Penn-Trafford) dribbled inside the 18-yard box and dropped a perfect cross-pass to teammate Lauren Segalla, who scored a goal for West Virginia in a 4-0, season-opening win over Buffalo.
The assist was the first for Aunkst in her career. She has started 31 games for the Mountaineers.
Women’s soccer
Ohio: Senior Sam Wexell (Norwin) started the Bobcats’ opener at Virginia Military Institute and made four saves in a 1-0 victory.
Wexell made four starts last season, charting eight saves and a win.
Pitt: The Panthers’ roster has quite the local flavor. Make that Norwin flavor. Norwin alums include sophomore Eva Fankovic, freshmen Lacey Bernick and Katlyn Kaufman and redshirt sophomore Emily Harrigan, a transfer from Rutgers.
Slippery Rock: Picked to win the PSAC West this fall, the Rock features Norwin graduates Emily Arnold and Kary Ericson.
Both seniors have seen playing time over the last two seasons. Ericson appeared in all 22 games in 2020 and recorded her first goal, against Seton Hill. Arnold, a defender, played in 18 games and took 11 shots on goal.
Other local players on the team include sophomore Sydney Patrick (Hempfield) and freshman Maddie DeLucio (Latrobe).
Valparaiso: Junior Kiley Dugan (Penn-Trafford) was named to the All-Missouri Valley Preseason Team as an honorable mention. Dugan, who had a goal last season, was an All-MVC first team pick and also made the All-Region third team as a sophomore.
Men’s soccer
Seton Hill: When the first PSAC poll of the year came out, Seton Hill was tabbed No. 3 in the PSAC West.
Women’s cross country
Seton Hill: The Griffins were picked to finish second in the PSAC this season, led by coach Bobby Over. Senior Sidney Wolf and sophomore Isabella Myles are back after earning first-team all-conference honors.
Women’s basketball
Saint Vincent: Former Bearcats standout guard Jenna Lafko is joining the coaching staff at her alma mater.
A four-year player, Lafko was a three-time All-PAC selection who averaged 9.3 points and 3 assists over 83 games. She was the PAC Player of the Year in 2019-20 when she averaged 13 points and 3.7 assists. She made the All-PAC First Team as a senior when she scored 15.9 points, grabbed 5.7 rebounds and dished 4.4 assists.
SVC won 71 games with Lafko on the team, including a 44-6 mark in conference play with two PAC titles.
She is a Hampton graduate and the daughter of Hampton boys basketball coach Joe Lafko.
Men’s golf
West Virginia: Fifth-year senior Mark Goetz (Kiski School/Greensburg), the medalist in the U.S. Amateur earlier this month at Oakmont Country Club and Longue Vue Club, won his team qualifier to earn a spot in the Mountaineers’ season opener next month at the Minnesota Gopher Invitational. He posted rounds of 66, 64 and 67 for a 19-under-par total at Bedford Springs.
