Photo Credits – wcupagoldenrams.com
Football
As the fall semester begins, students begin their lives back here at West Chester University. One of the most classic experiences as a college student resides in attending the sports games throughout the year and none are more iconic than football. On Sept. 2, the Rams football team will return to the field against Bentley University looking to improve upon their 6-5 record of last season. Speaking of Bentley, the Rams will look to do a much better job than what they did against the team last year in the opening game in which they lost 41-17. Following that opening loss however, WCU was able to rally and string together a four game win streak over the next four weeks. Unfortunately, the team failed to make the playoffs, but this year quarterback Shane Dooley and stud running back Ja’den McKenzie will look to leave that in the past.
Volleyball
The volleyball team, on the other hand, made the playoffs last year but fell in the first round of the PSAC tournament to Shepherd University. The squad put together an impressive 22-8 season under head coach Kassie Bellaver, including a fantastic nine game winning streak. The team performed very well at home, losing only three games at West Chester University, whereas the squad lost five away. Leading the team in kills (an offensive move where the opposing team cannot return it, basically a score) was Senior Julia Vreeswyk followed by fellow senior Sarah Polacek. With many of the leading scorers being upperclassmen and a graduate student, the younger squad will have to step up and be able to take over when the old guard moves on.
Men’s Soccer
After an exciting 2021 season, the men’s soccer team is looking to at least match their impressive 11-3-2 record and improve on their playoff form. The Golden Rams went out in the quarterfinals of the PSAC tournament after losing to eventual champion of the PSAC Millersville. All of this was after West Chester beat Millersville twice during the season. With more than 8 seniors on that team, there are surely some shoes, or cleats, to be filled this next semester. Fall 2022 is where they will look to compete and hopefully advance further in the postseason than they have prior.
Women’s Soccer
Similarly, the women’s soccer team had a successful season with a record of 12-5-3. The team also went out in the quarterfinals of the PSAC tournament, but played in the Division II NCAA tournament. In this tournament, they won two games, but eventually lost in the third round to Concord University. With about 8 or 9 seniors on this squad, the team is going to need to step up next season in order to reach the heights they reached in 2021. It is important to see if the Golden Rams can keep this good run of play up and hopefully advance further in the PSAC tournament.
Men’s Basketball
The men’s team last year had a really great start to the season, taking the win in 5 of their first 6 games. Led by the explosive backcourt duo of freshmen Robert Smith and Elijah Allen, the Golden Rams young core are looking to improve upon their PSAC Quarterfinals appearance this year. Having lost to Millersville in their three previous meetings, including that Quarterfinals matchup, our Golden Rams are sure to come out with some fire in hopes of getting some revenge on our rival.
Women’s Basketball
Our Women’s team is also looking to have a successful start to their season in the fall. Our Golden Rams had a tough season last year, finishing with a 9-19 record and dropping their first game in the PSAC tournament. Similar to the men’s team, the women’s team last year was led by two young guards, Leah Johnson and Alexa Abbonizio. Johnson averaged 16.1 points per game and led the team with 136 assists; Abbonizio was not far behind, averaging 9.7 points per game. Hopefully with some experience under their belt, and the additions of a new freshman class, the women’s basketball team can make a serious run at the PSAC crown.
Joseph Gill is a fourth-year English major with a minor in Journalism. JG923276@wcupa.edu
Tim Smith and Dylan Edelman are alumni of West Chester University.