Image Credits: Samantha Yothers
The second-seeded West Chester University (WCU) women’s soccer team (14–2–4) opened NCAA Tournament play with a standout performance on Friday afternoon, Nov. 21, defeating seventh-seeded West Virginia State (15–5–1) with a 5–2 win on Rockwell Field and advancing to the Sweet Sixteen.
History Made
Sophomore forward/midfielder Kianna Barber (Brown Mills, N.J.), wearing number 23, was a massive contributor to the team’s success. She recorded the first NCAA Tournament hat trick in program history, scoring three goals within the first 47 minutes of play. Barber’s performance marks the first hat trick by any NCAA Tournament player since UC–Colorado Springs’ Kaitlin Hinkle against Dallas Baptist University, on Nov. 18, 2023.
Senior midfielder Victoria Pungello (Jackson, N.J.), number 10, contributed two additional goals, helping West Chester establish a new program record for goals scored in an NCAA Tournament game. The previous record, set in 2006, stood at four goals in back-to-back games against Slippery Rock and IUP to start the Tournament.
West Chester controlled play for the majority of the match, finishing with a 25–15 advantage in shots and a 13–8 edge in shots on goal, while corner kicks were even at 3–3. Despite a 2–2 tie late in the first half, the Golden Rams never trailed and used their speed and pressure to secure a final victory.
What’s Next:
Fairmont State University (17–2–3) from Fairmont, West Virginia, claimed its first-ever NCAA Championship victory on Nov. 21, defeating Kutztown (13–6–1) in the opening round of the NCAA Division II Tournament. Graduate student, Filippa Stalhammer (number 12) from Vellinge, Sweden, delivered a standout performance, scoring both goals for the Falcons, including the game-winner that put Fairmont State ahead 2–1. Junior goalkeeper Olivia Johnson also played a crucial role, recording seven saves to help secure the historic win.
With the win, West Chester advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament and faced Fairmont State on Nov. 23 at Rockwell Field. The meeting marked the first recorded matchup between the two programs in women’s soccer. West Chester defeated Fairmont State 1-0, and will move on to the Atlantic Regional Championship on Nov. 30 to face either Gannon or Shepherd.
Caroline Rudderow is a second year Media and Culture major. Cr1040239@wcupa.edu