Box Score
PISCATAWAY, N.J. – West Chester University erased a pair of two-goal leads in the second half to rally for a come-from-behind 5-4 win in double overtime at Rutgers in a non-league field hockey match Sunday afternoon.
With the win, West Chester moves to 2-0 on the season, opening the campaign with two consecutive wins for the first time since 1999. It also marked the first time since 1994 that the Golden Rams defeated Rutgers (0-2) – ending an 11-game skid against the Scarlet Knights in the process.
“We battled back from three, two-goal deficits,” West Chester head coach Kathy Krannebitter said. “We never gave up. I am very pleased with our effort throughout the game.”
Rutgers pushed ahead, 2-0, on goals from Jenna Bull and Mackenzie Noda. However, West Chester freshman Kayla Gluchowski responded with her first college goal one minute before halftime.
The Scarlet Knights answered that tally 15 seconds later when Brittany Bybel potted a goal off a penalty corner goal with 14 seconds to go before intermission.
Red-shirt freshman Alisha Moran pulled the Rams within one off a deflection during a scramble on the far right side seven minutes into the second half. However, the Scarlet Knights would answer right back 10 minutes later when Bybel drew West Chester goalkeeper Joelle Zarefoss out of the cage and fired a shot, which deflected to the stick of Jessika Hoh, who put the Scarlet Knights ahead, 4-2.
The Golden Rams struck for two goals over the final 12 minutes of play to force overtime. Sophomore Alyssa Gallen tallied in the 57th minute, and freshman Melissa LeNoir evened the score at 4-4 on a tip in front of the cage 10 minutes later.
Both teams had opportunities in the first overtime, combining for 12 shots over the 15-minute period. Zarefoss had five of her 10 saves in the first OT.
“Jo came up huge in the second half and overtimes,” Krannebitter commented.
The winning score came in the 88th minute when Moran got up field on a breakaway, scoring from seven yards out to give the Golden Rams the 5-4 win.
“We generated a lot of scoring opportunities on odd-man rushes,” Krannebitter explained. “We just have to finish those opportunities now.”
Rutgers held a 23-21 advantage in shots, including a 9-5 cushion in the two overtimes.
West Chester returns to action on Wednesday when the Golden Rams host Lehigh in another non-league tussle at Vonnie Gros Field. Game time is 4 p.m.
