Box Score
WEST CHESTER, Pa. – Devon Swaim tallied with 3:20 left in the first overtime period to lift No. 16 West Chester to a 1-0 victory over determined visitor West Virginia Wesleyan on a sunny, but windy, Saturday afternoon at South Campus Field.
West Chester (2-0-0) controlled the action for much of the tilt. However, West Virginia Wesleyan (0-2-0) goalkeeper Lauren Hessian made a number of big saves to keep her team in the game.
Golden Rams’ senior forward Sarah Oswald began the push up field in the overtime and ran past two defenders to create a 2-on-1 break. She pushed the ball over to a wide open Swaim, who maneuvered around Hessian and booted the ball into the open goal for the game-winner.
Both Swaim and Oswald were robbed in the final five minutes of regulation when they both found themselves open in the middle of the field from about 10 yards out. Each time, Hessian rushed out and somothered the two opportunities.
Lyndsie Bernardini made three saves to record the shutout in her first action of the new year. Hessian made 10 saves and played brilliantly in goal for the visitors.
West Chester outshot West Virginia Wesleyan, 17-7, in the contest.
The Golden Rams travel to Lock Haven on Wednesday, Sept. 8 for their first PSAC contest. The PSAC has switched to one division in women’s soccer this fall, making all games against PSAC schools league contests.
