On Wednesday, the #12 West Chester University Lady Ram’s (9-1-1, 5-1-1 PSAC East) defeated the Millersville Lady Marauders (0-7-2, 0-5-2 PSAC East) 4-0 in a PSAC East battle. The Lady Rams’ are now on a seven-game winning streak. West Chester now sits alone at the top of the PSAC East standings.In the first half, freshman sensation Sarah Oswald continued her dominating play. Oswald was able to score two goals within to first 17 minutes to give West Chester a commanding lead. Both goals were assisted by Rita Alton.
In the second half, Oswald continued to put pressure on Millersville goal keeper Karrine Riggins as she scored her third goal of the game, her first career hat-trick, on a pass from Sam Paolino in the 65th minute. Paolino sent a perfect pass to Oswald through the Marauders defense for a breakaway goal. This was Oswald’s team leading 13 goal of the season and her 28th point of the season. With three minutes left in the game, Jenna Arnold scored her first goal of the season to put the final touches in the West Chester victory.
West Chester goal keeper Hilary Smart got her eighth victory of the season and her second straight shut out. West Chester recorded 13 shots compared to only four by Millersville. Riggins saved six in a losing effort for the Marauders, while Smart did not have any saves thanks to the defense in front of her.
“I think we’ve got a great leader back there in Lauren Boyer. She’s been here with the program. She understands what has to be done,” Coach Betty Ann Kempf Townsley said of the defensive play of her team. “She’s doing a great job organizing the players. On any given time we have a freshman or two playing back there and she’s doing a great job as a leader, and I attribute to the success of our defense because of her and how she’s organizing everything.”
On Saturday, the Lady Rams’ (10-1-1, 6-1-1 PSAC East) shutout the IUP Crimson Hawks 2-0 to extend their winning streak to eight games. West Chester is now showing why opponents need to stand up and take notice of the Lady Rams.
With less than 13 minutes remaining in the first half, senior forward Danielle Gerz knocked home her second goal of the season on a pass from Cindi Nickels to give the Lady Rams the lead.
Early in the second half, sophomore Rita Alton scored her second goal of the season unassisted to add insurance to the lead for the Rams. The remainder of the second half was a defensive struggle for both teams.
Goal-keeper Hilary Smart recorded her third straight shutout, and fourth overall for the Rams, saving two shots.
West Chester travels to Kutztown on Thursday and Mansfield Saturday.
LJ Harrell is a second year student majoring in Business. He can be reached at LH639694@wcupa.edu