Box Score
WEST CHESTER, Pa. – Brittany Cislak scored twice and Alex Swayze added another as West Chester downed visiting Appalachian State, 3-2, in the first game of the 3rd Annual Vonnie Gros Field Hockey Classic Saturday afternoon.
No. 3 North Carolina (3-2) shut out No. 11 Penn State (2-3), 4-0, in the night cap.
Cislak beat Appalachian State goalkeeper Sabra Holt between the legs after maneuvering around two defenders in the circle in the 56th minute for the eventual game-winner. That marker put West Chester (3-1) on top 3-1. ASU’s Katie Price scored three minutes later to pull the visitors within one. But, the Golden Rams’ defense held strong to shut out the Mountaineers the rest of the way.
Alex Swayze got open inside the circle and ran around the keeper, poking home a shot along the line just after halftime to break a 1-1 tie.
Cislak gave the hosts a 1-0 lead in the 10th minute when she knocked down a shot off a penalty corner and deflected it into the net. Cislak inserted the ball on the corner, Beth Wong stopped the ball and Desiree Walker ripped a shot that hit an ASU defender in front and ricocheted over to Cislak, who had slid onto the near post after her insertion.
However, ASU’s Nicole Morgan finished off a pass from Jenn Heiss in the 29th minute to tie things up heading into the locker room.
Joelle Zarefoss recorded four saves in goal to her her third win of the season. Jessica Brown was also credited with a defensive save in the first half. Holt made nine saves in the losing effort for Appalachian State (0-5).
West Chester held ASU to just two shots in the second half and two penalty corners. The Mountaineers could not capitalize on their 10 shots and five corners in the first 35 minutes of play.
Cislak and Swayze combined to take 10 of West Chester’s 15 shots in the tilt.
The Golden Rams now prepare for the Tar Heels tomorrow afternoon at 2:30 p.m. on the second day of the Vonnie Gros Field Hockey Classic. Rider will battle Appalachian State in the first game of the day at 12 p.m.
