The 2012 Mount Aloysius women's soccer team made tremendous steps in a building season under first-year head coach Tyler Sheikh. Even with a small roster, the team made progress throughout the season.

The Mount defeated Penn State-Altoona 2-1 on October 9th, their first victory in ten years against the Nittany Lions. They followed that up with a heartbreaking 3-2 overtime loss to Penn State-Behrend, the number one seed in the upcoming conference playoffs and defending conference champion, which showed the Mount could compete with the best in the conference. Another highlight to the season was a 2-0 win against Valley Forge in non-conference play.

After returning from injury, freshman goalkeeper Lauren Challingsworth showed she was one of the best goalkeepers in conference. She made 82 saves and saw 1,180 minutes of action while also recording two shutouts.

Junior Tonya Bibby led the Mount on the defensive end at the sweeper and center back position. Time and time again, Bibby provided a last-ditch effort in the back to keep the Mount in games. Junior Nicole Schweinsberg, senior Lara Appiah and freshman MacKenzie Horne (2 goals) were also solid for the Mount in defense.

In the midfield, sophomore Liz Josephson (3 goals, 1 assist, 14 shots) provided a solid presence in the middle of the park with freshmen Stephanie Oaks and Caitlin Greiner, junior Emily Burget and senior Katelyn Shull. Oaks provided a highlight-reel goal that gave the Mount the lead early in the second half against Behrend. Off a pass from Shull, she chipped the keeper from 25 yards out.

Freshman Megan Parker provided speed and pace up top, as she registered a team-leading 4 goals and 24 shots in her rookie season. Senior Pam Pride, a midseason addition, aided the offensive attack and assisted on Horne's game-winning goal against Altoona.

For game and video highlights of the 2012 season, check out the Mount Soccer Youtube page at http://www.youtube.com/user/MountieSoccer?feature=mhee