The Golden Rams hosted Lock Haven University’s Bald Eagles and blew them away with a final game score of 18-5, Rams. The last time the Rams faced the Eagles, they edged them out 14-11. When that game was played, WCU was missing their star player, Kathleen Sheehan. With Sheehan back in the lineup for the Rams’ game last Thursday at 3:30 p.m., the Rams were unstoppable. Sheehan reached her 200th career goal that afternoon. Heading into their game against the Eagles the Golden Rams had a record of 10-0 in the PSAC and 13-2 of the season. WCU is number one in the NCAA Division II South Region. Stating that Sheehan was an all-star in their game against Lock Haven is an understatement. Sheehan had a total of 10 points on seven goals along with three assists. The Golden Rams’ goalkeeper, Jennifer Roman, blocked 14 of the 19 total shots attempted on the Rams goal. It was apparent from the first period of the game that WCU was set. The pace created a scoring distance and then forced Lock Haven to play catch-up during the rest of the game.
The Golden Rams displayed phenomenal defense against the Eagles throughout the game. This meant that most of the game the Rams had possession of the ball and it was in Lock Haven’s territory as well. By the end of the first period the Golden Rams were only up 6-2. At the start of the second, period the Rams had scored three goals in less than three minutes, compared to Lock Haven who only scored three goals the entire second period. With 27 minutes left in the second period the Bald Eagles were down 9-2. Not only did they not score enough to keep up with the Rams, but their stamina began to wane as well. The Rams systematically made the Bald Eagles extinct. When 10 minutes were left in the game and the score was 16-5, the Eagles had lost all of their fight and their frustration began to show.
Overall the Golden Rams’ win was a complete team effort. Sheehan had seven total goals, Kirstin McGoldrick had five, Katelyn Martin had three, and Christine Kane had two and Danielle Roy had one. As far as shots by period goes, West Chester had 35 total shots while Lock Haven had 19. The Golden Rams clinched the number one seed in the PSAC Tournament. WCU set a school record with its 14th victory of the season, breaking their mark of 13 in 2001. The next time West Chester will face Lock Haven will be on Tuesday, April 27, at 4 p.m. in the PSAC semi-finals.