WASHINGTON, D.C. – Gallaudet University officially made its North Eastern Athletic Conference (NEAC) debut on Saturday afternoon in the nation's capital. The GU women's soccer team hosted Penn State-Harrisburg, the defending conference champions, in the NEAC opener for both teams.

The two teams were locked up in a defensive battle for the majority of the first half but the Lions (3-2, 1-0 NEAC) got on the board with 47 seconds left to go before halftime. Penn St.-Harrisburg led 1-0 at the break.

In the second half, the Lions offense showed how they won the NEAC championship as they ripped off six consecutive goals in just over 20 minutes. Sophomore Megan Frailey led the way with three consecutive goals. Senior Adrienne Stine and sophomore Lindsey McNeal added a goal while freshman Kara Hoy netted her second goal of the game in the seven goal second half.

The Bison (2-3, 0-1 NEAC) got on the board in the 84th minute when sophomore Johanna Arrigo (Ewing, N.J.) scored from 20 yards out as she lifted a high ball into the empty net. Lion goalie Brittany Adams (six saves) was caught out of position on the goal that cut the Lion lead to six, 7-1. Hoy added her second mark a minute later.

Penn St.-Harrisburg pressured the Gallaudet goal for the majority of the game as the Lions held a distinct advantage on shots 35-10 (20-5 in the second half). The Lions were able to wear down the Bison defense in the second half. GU sophomore goalie Kara Gulvas (Crown Point, Ind.) made 15 saves in the loss. The eight goals allowed ties Gulvas' career-high.

This is the second time these two teams have met in the past two years. Penn St.-Harrisburg won 4-0 last year in Washington, D.C.

This is the first year for Gallaudet University athletics in the NEAC as it joined this past summer after spending 20 years in the Capital Athletic Conference.

Gallaudet will next venture out of conference and face Christendom College on Wednesday, September 22, in Front Royal, Va., at 5 p.m.