The 15th-ranked and top-seeded West Chester University women’s soccer team (13-2-4) was back in action on Friday afternoon in the PSAC Semifinals against Eastern Division rival Shepherd (10-1-6), falling to the upset-minded Rams, 3-0.
West Chester dominated the first half in terms of shots, ending the half with a 10-3 lead and a 6-1 lead in shots on goal, but Hannah Wilt was sharp, making six early saves to keep things scoreless heading into the halftime break.
Just over five minutes in the second half, Josie Beezel found just enough space inside the West Chester box to finish off a pass from Reagan Ackerman, which gave the Rams a 1-0 lead with just under 40 minutes to play.
West Chester continued applying pressure from this point and had a chance by Victoria Pungello which was saved in the 64th minute, before a good chance from four-time All-Conference honoree Faith Matter was blocked in the 72nd minute.
West Chester continued to pressure for an equalizer, but with this increased offensive pressure came opportunities for Shepherd, and they added two late goals. Anaya Lozano scored off an assist from Ackerman in the 79th minute, before Olivia Gardner added a late goal off an assist from Adrianna Morales. Wilt was excellent in goal for Shepherd, making 10 saves, while Grace Keen (Avon Grove) made one in the loss.
West Chester will await the NCAA Tournament selection show on Monday night to learn where and when its 2025 season will continue, while Shepherd advances to face Kutztown in the PSAC Championship game on Sunday afternoon. Shepherd will be going for its second consecutive PSAC Tournament title, while Kutztown remains in search of its first conference crown.
Men’s SoccerGannon 2, West Chester 1 >> For the third time in as many years, the West Chester University men’s soccer team () squad off against the top-seed from the PSAC West in Gannon () in search of a victory to return to its first conference final since 2023. West Chester took an early 1-0 lead and found itself tied 1-1 at the half but Gannon earned the home victory by a 2-1 final after a late second half pen
Maksym Komperda gave West Chester an early lead in the 19th minute when he finished an assist from Owen Slack to give the visitors the early 1-0 advantage.
West Chester threatened for more moments later as a chance by Luke Newman was blocked in the 22nd minute before another chance by Newman was saved in the 29th minute.
Just before halftime, Gannon tied the game when Per Kristian Lauvstad beat a leaping Alexi Amanatidis off an assist from Kasper Alfei Saebo.
Despite the game being tied at 1-1 at the half, West Chester ended the first half with a 13-8 lead in shots and a 4-3 lead in shots on goal, although Gannon had a slim 3-2 lead in corners.
With under 15 minutes to play in the match, Sverre Orten won a penalty kick for the Golden Knights and converted this opportunity to give the Golden Knights a late 2-1 lead.
West Chester pressed down the stretch but did not record a shot as the Golden Knights stiffened defensively to escape with a 2-1 victory over the upset-minded Golden Rams.
West Chester ended the game with a 17-15 lead in shots and a 6-5 lead in shots on goal, along with a 5-4 lead in corners.
Amanatidis made three saves in the loss, while Andre Moraes made five saves to send the defending Champion Golden Knights back to the PSAC Championship game once again in 2025.
West Chester will now await the NCAA Division II Men’s Soccer selection show on Monday evening to learn if its 2025 season will continue into the NCAA Tournament for the second time in three seasons.
Women’s Basketball
West Chester 72, Salem 33 >> Kimi Sayson and Bella Mazur tied for the team lead in scoring 11 points each to help lead the West Chester University women’s basketball team (1-0) to a dominant 72-33 victory over Salem (0-1) on Friday evening in Hollinger Field House.
Erin Daley led West Chester in rebounding with 10 rebounds, along with five points and three assists.
West Chester started the game on a 12-0 run, which spanned the first nine minutes before the Tigers got on the scoreboard, cutting the deficit to 12-2 late in the first quarter before stretching the lead to 14-2 heading into the second.
Source: Berkshire mont
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