The Lady Rams soccer team (13-3-1) might not have finished the season the way they had hoped but playoffs is a whole other story. West Chester went into the final few games knowing that would be a factor come playoff time. The question was where they would finish in the PSAC heading into the tournament.
The Lady Rams entered Millersville Saturday trying to win the PSAC outright but had their hands full with the Marauders. West Chester would pelt Millersville goalkeeper, Olivia Webber, with shot after shot but to no avail. When all was said and done, the Rams had 31 total shots with 19 alone in the second half with nothing to show for it. Freshmen, Megan Kelley would break through for Millersville as she beat West Chester’s, Shannon Fedyk, with the game winning goal late in the match. This handed West Chester their third loss of the year but only their first shutout loss of the year.
Earlier in the week, the Golden Rams hosted fellow PSAC contender, Clarion. Knowing they were tied with California University going into the match with 31 points each, the importance of this game was understood. The Golden Eagles (2-10-5) had struggled so far so it would be imperative for the ladies to get off to a fast start.
This would not be a problem as usual scorers Melissa McKeary and Jen Hutchinson hammered home three of West Chester’s four goals for the game. Autumn Rosenberg would tally Clarion’s only goal of the match off the foot of Liz Ventura past Fedyk late in the match. In the end, West Chester had too much firepower for the Golden Eagles as they handle them easily, winning the game 4-1.
Last Saturday, The Golden Rams welcomed in Bloomsburg (6-9-1) who again West Chester needed to beat to stay in the race for the PSAC crown. The ladies would not disappoint as they shutout the Huskies by the score of 3-0. It was fitting that all three seniors: McKeary, Hutchinson, and Rowan would all score for West Chester in their victory. Areas that helped West Chester come through with the victory were their shots on goal. The ladies had an impressive 14 shots to only 4 for Bloomsburg. Along with that, they were able to have twice the amount of corners than the Huskies did. Each game proves more and more of what this team is made off as their season concludes.
With their latest loss to finish the season, West Chester actually has dropped to second in the PSAC behind California University of Pennsylvania with just one win shy of claiming first. Next up for West Chester, the ladies are awaiting their first playoff opponent in the PSAC Quarterfinals with the spot yet to be determined.
With such a great season for the ladies, it is important to remember what got them there in the first place. The cohesiveness by this team is what many on the team attribute to the success of the team but all of them realize that their jobs are not done yet. With the PSAC being extremely competitive this season, West Chester has no letup in the first round of playoffs this season. If they continue to play the way they got them there in the first place, The Golden Rams should be able to continue their run through tough playoff competitors.
A late schedule change due to Hurricane Sally meant that the Lady Rams would open the PSAC playoffs at home on Thursday, Nov. 1.
Taylor Maren is a third-year student majoring in communication studies. He can be reached at TM741168@wcupa.edu.