Box Score
WEST CHESTER, Pa. - No. 14 West Chester hung on to defeat No. 23 East Stroudsburg, 3-2, in the second round of the NCAA Division II Women's Soccer Tournament on a blustery and cold Sunday afternoon.
West Chester (14-2-5) advances to the third round of the NCAAs and will serve as host next Friday and Sunday. East Stroudsburg (12-6-4) saw its season come to a close with the playoff loss.
Brittany Yetter scored in the 65th minute to put West Chester on top 3-1 in the second half. From there, East Stroudsburg controlled much of the play, finally drawing to within one on a goal by Janel Cleffi in the 77th minute. The Warriors outshot the Golden Rams 13-3 in the final 45 minutes.
However, senior goalkeeper Hilary Smart kept the visiting Warriors at bay, making six saves in the second frame for host West Chester.
Jenna Arnold put the Rams on top in the 23rd minute when she headed Lauren Boyer's direct kick from the top of the penalty area. Boyer served up the ball from about 40 yards out, and Arnold headed the ball past ESU goalkeeper Janine Turcio.
East Stroudsburg tied the game six minutes later when Linda Hicks finished off a pass from Lindsey Foder.
West Chester's Brittany Couper then banged home a rebound off another direct kick by Boyer in the 36th minute that put the Golden Rams on top, 2-1, heading into halftime.
Boyer's kick from 30 yards hit the crossbar and deflected right to Couper, who kicked it across the goalmouth into the net.
