Box Score
WEST CHESTER, Pa. – Reigning PSAC player of the week,
Ashley Pyle (Springfield, Pa./Garnet Valley) scored six goals to lead No. 7 West Chester to a 13-4 victory over visiting No. 12 Lock Haven at Vonnie Gros Field Wednesday afternoon.
West Chester (11-1, 6-1 PSAC) scored the first nine goals of the game, and Lock Haven (9-2, 5-2) could never really get on track to challenge the Golden Rams. The win for the Golden Rams ended a personal three-game losing streak to the Lady Eagles in the all-time series, dating back to 2013.
The nine-goal margin of victory was the largest against Lock Haven for the Rams since the 2008 PSAC Championship Game at West Chester – a 17-8 win for the hosts. In fact, the last four wins by the Golden Rams in the series with the Lady Eagles were all one-goal affairs.
The win helps West Chester keep pace with both Mercyhurst and Indiana (Pa.) in the PSAC standings. The Golden Rams pay a visit to IUP on Saturday with both showing a 6-1 conference record to date – one game back of the Lakers, who have not lost a league game (7-0).
West Chester scored five goals in the first six minutes of the contest to jump on top of Lock Haven early. The Lady Eagles never did recover as the Rams added three more, before the visitors could find the back of the net themselves. West Chester controlled the tempo by winning nearly every draw in the early going and didn't allow Lock Haven to carry the ball over midfield until they were already trailing, 4-0.
By halftime, the score had grown to 12-2 in favor of the home team, and West Chester spent most of the second half managing the clock and taking care of possessions. The Rams took just three shots in the final 30 minutes of action.
Hannah Cowan (Wilmington, Del./Ursuline Academy) scored four goals and added an assist.
Dina Cifelli (Robbinsville, N.J./Notre Dame) chipped in with four assists.
Paige Mitros (Glen Mills, Pa./Garnet Valley) made four saves, improving to 11-1 on the year in goal. Her counterpart, Hannah Houde, made five saves in a losing effort.
West Chester travels to IUP on Saturday for a 1 p.m. start with the Crimson Hawks in a battle for second place in the league standings.
