Despite conditions that made it feel more like winter than spring, the No. 6 West Chester University Golden Rams were able to hold off rival Bloomsburg and win a key divisional home game on April 7 by a score of 12-7. Senior net minder Mary Beth Green was instrumental in the Rams’ victory as she posted 15 saves, to improve her record to 9-2 for the season. This past week Green was awarded PSAC East Women’s Lacrosse Player of the Week. It was the first time in her career she has won the award. It was the third time that a Rams player has been awarded the honor this season.
The first half of the game was all West Chester, who despite falling behind 1-0 early, still managed to hold a 9-3 lead at the break. Bloomsburg came on strong in the second half, but Green and the Rams’ top notch defense were more then up to the task. The second half turned into a defensive battle as Bloomsburg’s own defense managed to hold the high flying Rams’ offense scoreless for a 10 minute stretch.
The story of the first half was ball control, as WCU dominated in the face-off circle winning 10 of 13 draws.
For the Rams, Claire Grimwood scored two goals and added an assist in the contest, as did Jackie Baker. Gina DiDomenicis netted two goals of her own. Courtney Whiting led the way both offensively and defensively for the Rams. She scored four times and was able to force two turnovers. She also won five draws. Nicole Haines also had a three point afternoon, registering a goal and two assists.
The Rams had a much easier time on the afternoon of April 13 when they tangled with East Stroudsburg in another home match. WCU dominated all aspects of the game and went on to win the game by a score of 20-5.
The game started out slow, with each team scoring only a single goal in the opening six minutes. From there, the Rams exploded for 13 unanswered goals to take a commanding lead, one that they never relinquished.
For the Rams, Gabrielle Stitz led the charge offensively with three goals and three assists in the first half alone. With the game seemingly in hand – the Rams led 16-2 at the half – Stitz spent the entire second half resting.
Chrissy Stokes scored four goals and tallied one assist in the game, while Shannon Hayes, who started for the first time in her career, scored once and registered four assists.
Also, Haines added two goals and two more assists, Jenny Ingram and Jackie Hoover each scored two goals in the game.
On the defensive side of the ball, Kimberlee Hachen forced four turnovers in the contest. In net Green stopped 11 shots to record her 10th win of the season.
WCU again dominated in the draw control category, winning 20 0f 27.
The Rams also made short work of Millersville this past week, beating the Marauders by a score of 20-3 in a home contest played on April 16.
Millersville opened the scoring just 22 seconds in, but from there it was all WCU as the Rams netted nine straight goals. Millersville cut the lead to 9-2, but the Rams’ offense was simply too much. WCU put in ten straight goals to open up an insurmountable 19-2 lead with seven minutes left in the game. The teams traded goals to close out the scoring.
Stokes scored four goals and added two assists, while Baker scored four goals of her own and also tallied three assists. Grimwood scored twice and assisted on three others, and Whiting contributed two goals and two assists. Jackie Hoover also had two goals for the Rams.
In net, Green recorded five saves in the win to improve her overall record to 11-2.
On Saturday, the Rams scored a 13-11 home victory over No.8 Stonehill in conditions that were the exact polar opposite of those faced in their game versus Bloomsburg. The sun shone brightly as the on field temperature topped 70.
The Rams fought off a late rally that saw Stonehill score three of the game’s final four goals. It was the team’s final home game of the season.
Whiting and Stitz each recorded a hat trick for WCU. Baker added two goals and four assists. Stokes added two goals of her own in the win.
Green stood on her head in the contest and kept the Rams in the driver seat as she made 14 saves.
Next up for the Rams is a trip to Kutztown on Wendesday, after that it’s on to the PSAC post season tournament.
Colin McGlinchey is a fourth-year student majoring in English with a minor in Journalism. He can be reached at CM646588@wcupa.edu.