The Golden Rams dropped their first PSAC Quarterfinal game against C.W. Post 2-1 in double-overtime on Tuesday afternoon at Vonnie Gros Field.
Second-seeded West Chester (14-4) will now wait until Monday for the NCAA Selection Show to determine if they will advance in the national tournament. Third-seeded C.W. Post (10-7) automatically advanced to the conference semifinals, and took a 4-1 loss against Shippensburg on Friday afternoon.
The Golden Rams will qualify for the NCAA Division II Field Hockey Championships if they maintain their third-place position in the NCAA regional ranking.
Despite their loss, the Golden Rams ruled the field for much of the game, with the advantage of PSAC East athlete of the week, senior back, Brynn Adams.
Adams became the third player on the team, along with Nicole Fiorilla and Michele Shrift, to receive the recognition. Adams served an important role in the Rams’ victories over East Stroudsburg and Kutztown in the prior week, and has eight goals and five assists this season.
Although West Chester is comprised of some of the most talented players in the division, their efforts fell just short of a win on Friday.
Carlee Dragon, the second highest goal scorer in the nation, netted the game-winning goal in the double-overtime win.
Alisha Moran set the tone eight minutes into the first half, knocking in the first tally of the game, her sixth of the season, off of a rebound shot from Nancy Stehman.
The Golden Rams maintained control throughout regulation, keeping a 1-0 hold over their competitors.
Helene Bruckner broke through West Chester’s defense, taking an assist from Lyn-Marie Wilson with less than a minute remaining in play to send the game into overtime. The exciting goal was Bruckner’s 11th of the year.
Although West Chester was yellow carded, putting them at a one-player deficit, they remained in control by holding possession of the ball for much of the first overtime.
With strong defense on both ends, neither team scored in the first overtime, which extended the game to double-overtime.
After breaking down the Rams’ defense, Dragon sent a solo shot towards the net in the 95th minute, when goalkeeper, Kristin Arnold, made a diving save. When the ball bounced to her left, Dragon regained control and netted her 21st goal of the season for the win.
Though they were unable to pull out a win, West Chester held a 23-8 advantage in penalty corners, with an 11-2 hold in the first half and a 7-1 lead in the second.
In the first 70 minutes, West Chester’s aggressive defense and active offense held the Pioneers to just nine shots. Arnold made three saves in the first half, and four in the second.
C.W. Post’s Devon Trenkle was credited with 14 saves for the win.
The top three seeds in the North and South will comprise the six teams to play in the NCAA Tournament.
The Rams will now wait until Monday for their fate to be determined when the field of six will be revealed.
Brynn Dougherty is a fourth-year student majoring in economics and finance with a minor in journalism. She can be reached at BD670913@wcupa.edu.