The West Chester University Lady Rams soccer team continued their winning ways this past week as they defeated Millersville University 2-0. West Chester is the top-ranked team in the Atlantic Region.The No. 7 Lady Rams (12-1-1, 9-1 PSAC East) scored two goals in the final 20 minutes of play in order to pull away from the Marauders.
West Chester, whose only division loss came to the hands of the Bloomsburg University Lady Huskies, have won 11 of their last 12 games, tied the other and have allowed one goal compared to scoring 33 of their own.
Sophomore defenseman Brittany Couper scored the first goal of the game as she beat Millersville goalkeeper from 30 yards out.
Five minutes later, freshman forward Jen Gangl added insurance for the Lady Rams as they moved closer to clinching another PSAC Eastern Division crown.
Lyndsie Bernardini made two saves in the game, recording her tenth shutout of the season, tying a school record. Hilary Smart recorded ten shutouts last season. Bernardini extended her string of scoreless soccer to 773 minutes.
The West Chester defense, led by juniors Cindi Nickels and Jessica Bennett, allowed Millersville to get off only three shots throughout the entire game. The defense, which is No. 1 in the country, continues to play tough in front of Bernardini down the homestretch of the season.
On Oct. 6 the Lady Rams defeated Shippensburg University on the road 3-0. West Chester swept the season series with the Red Raiders.
Junior forward Sarah Oswald continued her impressive season as she recorded two second half goals to lead West Chester. Oswald ranks second in the NCAA in assists and assists per game. She also leads the Lady Rams with 23 points (six goals and 11 assists) on the season.
Melissa McKeary scored 43 seconds after Oswald’s first goal to ice the game for West Chester. McKeary also notched an assist on Oswald’s second goal.
On Oct. 10 the Lady Rams defeated Gannon University 1-0 in a PSAC cross-over matchup.
In the 43rd minute Bennett took a McKeary crossing pass and netted it past the Gannon goalkeeper for the only score of the game.
The defense for West Chester continued their strong play as Bernardini only had to record three saves throughout the game.
West Chester gets back to work this week as they host Kutztown University in a PSAC East matchup on Tuesday at 3 p.m. and Holy Family University on Friday at 6:30 p.m.
LJ Harrell is a fourth-year student majoring in Marketing. He can be reached at LH639694@wcupa.edu.