Box Score
WEST CHESTER, Pa. – Kristen Foore’s two tallies highlighted a five-goal second half as West Chester University cruised to a 5-0 blanking of visiting Lehigh University on a beautiful fall afternoon at Vonnie Gros Field Wednesday.
Foore notched a pair of goals 10 minutes apart for West Chester (3-0) shortly after halftime to put the Golden Rams on top after a scoreless first half. That effort seemed to wake up a sleeping giant following a lackluster 39 minutes of play from the home team. The Golden Rams are off the their best start in 20 years, carrying a three-game winning streak into their next contest against Monmouth Sunday. Lehigh fell to 0-2 on the year with the loss.
Following Foore’s goals, Lehigh called timeout to regroup. That’s when West Chester head coach Kathy Krannebitter delivered a message that hit home.
“I told them during that timeout that, ‘If we get the next goal, we win this game.’” Krannebitter explained.
Glen Mills native Alyssa Gallen provided that marker in the 53rd minute with her second goal of the season.
Reigning Atlantic 10 player and rookie of the week Melissa LeNoir scored her team-leading fifth goal of the season three minutes after Gallen’s tally, and Downingtown native Nicole Fiorilla converted a penalty stroke in the 60th minute to close out the scoring.
Goalkeeper Joelle Zarefoss made 10 saves, recording her third career shutout and 15th career win.
Lehigh controlled the tempo and dominated play for the first 35 minutes, catching West Chester back on its heels. However, the Golden Rams managed to keep the Mountain Hawks off the scoreboard thanks to Zarefoss’ effort.
Lehigh outshot West Chester, 17-11 for the contest, including an 8-3 advantage in the first half.
West Chester returns to the turf at Vonnie Gros Field on Sunday when the Rams host Monmouth at noon.
