READING, Pa. – The Penn State Berks Nittany Lions defeated Penn State Abington 4-0 on their home field Sunday to claim their first-ever North Eastern Athletic Conference (NEAC) Women’s Soccer Championship. 

Berks, the top seed and host of the tournament after going a perfect 11-0 in conference play, got on the board early after freshman Simone Stewart (Limerick, Pa.) scored a goal nine minutes into the game.  She would add a second goal 23 minutes later off a free kick sent by junior Emily Rumpf (Wernersville, Pa.) to put Berks up 2-0, and the score would remain that way into halftime.

Stewart continued her dominating day with another goal early in the second half, giving her a hat trick on the day and landing her as the Tournament MVP after she also scored the game-winning goal in yesterday’s 1-0 win over Keuka College in the semifinals.

Freshman Lizzie Mummau (Mount Joy, Pa.) delivered the assist on Stewart’s final goal, and then would seal the win with her own goal in the 81st minute off an assist from freshman Taylor Schwartz (Souderton, Pa.).

The defensive play of juniors Melissa Bennett (Nutley, N.J.) and Katie Warner (Fleetwood, Pa.) along with Rumpf and Mummau were able to shut down the Abington attack, as they only allowed three shots on goal on the day. Sophomore Kristin Starke (Mansfield, Mass.) and freshman Morgan Shade (Reading, Pa.) came off the bench to add a spark to the defensive unit as well.

Junior Savannah Cramer (Wrightsville, Pa.) made three saves - all in the second half - and split the shutout with sophomore Sarah Elmontacir (Effort, Pa.).

With the victory, the Nittany Lions earned an automatic bid to the NCAA Division III Women’s Soccer Championship Tournament. They will find out their opponent and the site of the match on Monday, November 11 at 1:30 p.m. during the NCAA selection show, which can be viewed here.

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The North Eastern Athletic Conference has twelve NCAA Division III member institutions which include: Cazenovia College, College of St. Elizabeth, Gallaudet University, Keuka College, Lancaster Bible College, Pennsylvania State University - Abington, Pennsylvania State University - Berks, SUNY Cobleskill, SUNY Institute of Technology, SUNY Morrisville State College, Wells College, and Wilson College.  Bryn Athyn College and Pennsylvania College of the Technology will both join the conference as full members in 2014-15.  Associate members are: Cedar Crest College (W Swimming), D’Youville College (M Volleyball), Hilbert College (M Lacrosse & M Volleyball), Medaille College (M&W Lacrosse & M Volleyball), Penn State Altoona (M Volleyball) and Rutgers University - Camden (M Golf & M Tennis).  The North Eastern Athletic Conference has partnered with the North Atlantic Conference in the sports of men’s and women’s tennis.