Box Score
WEST CHESTER, Pa. – Alyssa Gallen scored the game-winning goal in the 53rd minute and goalkeeper Joelle Zarefoss helped stave off a desperate late rally as host West Chester upset visiting Temple, 2-1, on a cold and rainy Friday afternoon at Vonnie Gros Field in a women’s field hockey contest.
West Chester (8-8, 3-1 Atlantic 10) ended a personal six-game losing streak to Temple (5-11, 1-2) in the process and moved into second place in the A-10 standings, all but assuring themselves of a spot in the postseason tournament next month.
“This is a huge win,” head coach Kathy Krannebitter said. “Seeing them on film, I thought we matched up well. We hung on their barely at the end. But, you have to do that sometimes. I credit Temple. They never gave up.”
Temple took 10 shots in the second half with the majority coming in the final eight minutes of the contest. But West Chester’s defense, led by senior goalkeeper Joelle Zarefoss, stood the test. The Owls were awarded eight penalty corners in the second half as well, again with the majority coming during that eight-minute span.
“I like that pressure,” Zarefoss said. “It keeps you focused. The biggest thing I always tell myself is to just see the ball.”
Gallen broke a 1-1 tie midway through the second half when she took a feed from teammate Alisha Moran to the left of the goal cage, dribbled out in front and poked a shot around Temple’s goalkeeper Sarah Dalrymple for her fifth goal of the season.
Freshman Melissa LeNoir knotted the score just before halftime with an unassisted tally, her team-leading 10th of the season.
Temple jumped out in front early with a goal by former West Chester University forward Kimmi Hanshue six minutes into the game. Hanshue was sitting on the goal line when Charise Young found her all alone off a penalty corner.
Zarefoss shut out the Owls the rest of the way.
“We had three strong days of practice this week,” Krannebitter commented. “The kids really bought into what we were trying to do, and it’s good to see them have some success because of that.”
“I can’t even explain how I feel right now,” Zarefoss continued. “To finally beat Temple and probably make the playoffs is huge.
West Chester hosts St. Joseph’s at Vonnie Gros Field on Sunday afternoon at 12 p.m.
