No. 8 ranked West Chester University women’s lacrosse (14-1, 9-1 PSAC East) has now won an impressive nine consecutive games after sweeping their slate this past week.
WCU took down Shippensburg University (4-10, 1-9) on Tuesday, April 12 at Vonnie Gros field, and then ventured to Greensburg, Pa. on Saturday for another conference clash with Seton Hill University of Pennsylvania (6-9, 5-5).
A trio of Golden Rams helped power WCU to a 16-4 rout of the Shippensburg Red Raiders, as Ashley Pyle, Hannah Cowan and Kristen Vath each recorded a hat trick in the victory.
Dina Cifelli scored two goals to pair with her two assists, and Erin Eckert recorded two scores as well. Goalie Paige Mitros had three saves for the Golden Rams, and she notched yet another victory on the season.
After allowing Shippensburg to open the first frame with a goal, WCU reeled off six consecutive scores and 11 of the next 12 to give them an 11-2 edge. WCU cruised into halftime up nine with the score at 12-3, and they dialed back their attack in the second half to drain the clock, as they wanted to continue to nurse the sizeable lead.
The Golden Rams outshot the Red Raiders 34-9, including 25-7 in shots on goal.
This contest was peppered with sloppiness on both ends as the two teams combined for 43 turnovers.
With the win over Shippensburg, WCU bumped their record at home this season up to 8-0. With the exception of Slippery Rock University, who put up 11 points in a loss to the Golden Rams earlier this month, no opponent has scored double-digits against WCU at home.
They’ve been drubbing teams on their home field, and the Golden Rams hope to sweep the season at home by finishing this year’s campaign off with a home matchup with Edinboro University.
After casually skating past the Red Raiders on Tuesday, WCU was posed with a much tougher task on Saturday, April 16 against the Seton Hill Griffins.
WCU managed to keep their winning streak intact by emerging the victors in a 12-10 slugfest that featured four Yellow Cards.
Pyle piloted WCU’s ship on this crusade as she recorded a team-high of five goals in the win. Cowan added three and an assist, and Cifelli poured in a total of five points with her three assists and two goals.
Sami Barnett’s scores rounded things out for the Golden Rams, who needed every contribution they could get to sneak past the Griffins.
Pyle’s five goals mark the fourth time she’s done that in a game this season, a remarkable feat that serves as an illustration of her scoring prowess.
Seton Hill opened the game with two unanswered scores, but then WCU began to percolate as they blasted the Griffins with a fierce attack that included five consecutive goals.
The Golden Rams had control of this game for most of the duration, but late in the second half, while holding on to a 12-6 lead, WCU began to falter and Seton Hill went on a 4-0 run, slicing the lead down to two with 1:22 remaining.
WCU rectified their mistakes when they bled the clock out and marched out of Dick’s Sporting Goods Field as victors.
WCU outshot Seton Hill 29-22, and they were the aggressors on goal as they won that category 21-17, a stark contrast from what partook against the Red Raiders.
This game again was riddled by miscues, but this time around it boded well for WCU as it was to their benefit. Seton Hill committed 19 turnovers including 10 in the second half, and when playing a great team such as WCU, you must value every possession because they will make you pay.
WCU will now journey to East Stroudsburg, Pa., on Wednesday to take on the East Stroudsburg Warriors (12-3, 7-3) before their season-finale at home against the Edinboro Fighting Scots (6-9, 1-9).
WCU’s strong record has earned them a first-round bye in the upcoming PSAC Tournament, and they’ve earned the right to play a game on their home field. WCU lost to No. 9 Mercyhurst University 10-9 with no time remaining on the clock in the PSAC Semifinals. West Chester will look to avenge that bitter defeat and put the finishing touches on what has been a very dominant season for the Golden Rams. Last year’s battle with Mercyhurst University was played away from WCU, so WCU hopes this year’s results are varied with home field in their clutches.
B.J. Boyer is a third-year student majoring in communication studies with a minor in journalism. Contact him at WB806695@wcupa.edu