Box Score
WEST CHESTER, Pa. – Another hot and humid afternoon brought three more goals and one more victory as West Chester University cruised to a 3-1 non-league field hockey win over visiting Sacred Heart under a blistering sun on Sunday afternoon.
West Chester (2-0) completed a two-game weekend sweep over a pair of schools from Southern Connecticut while Sacred Heart (0-2) dropped both of its games in the Greater Philadelphia area.
The Golden Rams controlled the tempo for much of the contest, constantly applying pressure on the Pioneers defense. Sacred Heart did not attempt a shot until 16 minutes into the tilt when the visitors were awarded a penalty corner. That shot ended a streak of 52 minutes by West Chester’s defense without allowing its opponents any opportunities.
Despite the constant pressure, the Golden Rams were unable to capitalize on a number of chances in the first half and did not break through until 10 minutes into the second half. Sophomore Lauren Schott blasted a shot off a penalty corner past Sacred Heart goalkeeper Kim Stow, for her first career goal, to put the hosts on the board.
Alex Melillo tied things up for the Pioneers on a penalty stroke in the 50th minute. However, Sacred Heart was unable to parlay that momentum into any type of a turnaround.
West Chester carried the ball deep into the Pioneers’ end, and when a potential go-ahead goal was disallowed because it caromed off the foot of a Golden Rams player into the net, West Chester kept the pressure on and earned that tally one minute later off another penalty corner. This time it was Leah Angstadt who knocked down a clearing attempt by a Pioneers’ defender, settled the ball and rocketed a shot past Stow to put the Rams back on top for good, 2-1.
Three minutes after that, Nicole Fiorilla scored her third goal of the weekend on a reverse chip that found the upper right-hand corner of the goal.
Red-shirt freshman Kristen Arnold made her second start in as many games in goal for West Chester. She stopped one shot in the first half, before giving way to sophomore Gabby Panasiewicz made one save in the second half to pick up her first college win in the cage.
Stow (0-2) made 10 saves in a losing effort for Sacred Heart.
West Chester opens its new season 2-0 for the second time in as many years. The Golden Rams outshot the Pioneers, 17-4, and held an 11-5 advantage in corners. West Chester returns to action next Friday afternoon when the Rams travel to Lehigh University for their first road game of the season. Game time is set for 4 p.m.
