The women’s soccer team has seen every side of the spectrum the past two weeks, from two 0-0 double overtime ties to league opponents, to their first loss of the season, to an exciting Homecoming victory.The ride started with a game two weeks ago versus PSAC East opponent Millersville. In this predominantly defensive game, the teams went back and forth for four total periods, finally ending in a scoreless tie after the two sudden death overtime periods.
Hilary Smart only needed to save one shot to hold the Marauders scoreless. The tie marked the first time this season that a PSAC team has done anything other then lose to West Chester.
Next up for the Lady Rams was an away game at Kutztown, another PSAC East opponent. Once again, the girls battled with their rivals, this time the Golden Bears, for four periods, with nobody getting it past the keepers. Smart and Kutztown goal keeper Steph Addelman combined for twelve saves in the game, and none let through, as the West Chester rolled on to its second straight 0-0 double overtime tie in a row.
At the end of the week, the West Chester Golden Rams had played two hundred and twenty minutes without allowing a single goal.as well as two hundred and twenty minutes without scoring a goal.
The next Monday would bring with it one of the most frustrating games of the season for the Lady Rams, as they suffered their first loss of the season to the College of St. Rose.
St. Rose controlled the game from the beginning, holding the Rams to only four shots to St. Rose’s thirteen. Nicole D’Errico’s goal was all they needed to become the first victors to win over West Chester this season. St. Rose (10-3-1) are consistently contenders in the NCAA tournament. They are currently ranked in the NCSAA polls. Should West Chester make the tournament, which is a likely occurrence, it is possible that a rematch of this game may occur, with the Lady Rams hungry for revenge.
This game brought the Rams to over three hundred minutes of scoreless play. The girls were still struggling to get back on track after the loss of senior midfielder Brittany Yetter, who went down with a leg injury two weeks ago. That all changed on Homecoming Saturday though, as Sarah Oswald recorded a goal and assist to help lift the girls over Mansfield and get back to their winning ways.
Rita Alton was the first to strike, as she scored late in the first half, heading in a cross from Sarah Oswald, and breaking their streak of over three hundred and fifty scoreless minutes. That would be all the Rams would need, as Smart held the opposition scoreless for the ninth time this season. Sarah Oswald added a goal late in the second half to give the girls some breathing room and seal the deal.
West Chester’s next game is Wednesday against Holy Family, a non-league match up. Saturday will be the next conference game for the Rams, as they take on East Stroudsburg once again. West Chester shut out the Warriors in their September meeting.
Although the Lady Rams were handed their first loss of the season last week, it is not near the end for them. They are still unbeaten in conference play, ranked, and in good shape to be a contender in the NCAA tournament, where they made it to the quarterfinals last season.
Ryan Frisco is a second-year student majoring in communication studies with a minor in journalism. He can be reached at RF648257@wcupa.edu.