Senior Kara Novotny (Irwin, Pa./Penn-Trafford) scored the game-winning goal with just 25 seconds left in the second overtime on Tuesday afternoon, as the Vulcans earned a 2-1 win at Mercyhurst in Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) play.

    With the victory, the California University of Pennsylvania women’s soccer team improves to 6-5-3 overall behind a 6-4-3 mark in league action and are now tied for fifth in the conference standings at 21 points with two-plus weeks left in the regular season. Meanwhile, Mercyhurst falls to 5-6-2 this season with a 4-6-2 record in conference play. The Lakers took a 1-0 lead in the 13th minute when Rachel Fulton scored her first goal of the season off a cross.

    The Vulcans later tied the score at 1-1 in the 80th minute when senior Janelle McCann (Burlington, Vt./Tilton School) registered her second goal of the year following a pass through the defense by sophomore Kira Carberry (Odenton, Md./Arundel). Both teams attempted a shot early in the first overtime before the Lakers placed a shot on target with just four seconds left in the period. Mercyhurst was whistled for an offside just after the opening minute of the second overtime and attempted a shot in the 108th minute that went wide of the net.      The Vulcans claimed the win at the 109:35-mark when Novotny chipped the goalie off a pass from McCann. McCann is now tied with former teammate Carley Work (2009-12) for fifth all-time in school history with 31 goals and also now ranks eighth with 68 career points. Junior goalkeeper Meghan Jayes New Albany, Ohio/New Albany) posted four saves in the victory while playing her fourth double-overtime game of the season. Mercyhurst had a 16-12 shot adavantage and both teams posted one corner kick.

    The Vulcans return to conference action on Wednesday, Oct. 21, when they travel to face Pitt-Johnstown in Johnstown at 1:30 p.m.