SHIPPENSBURG, Pa. – West Chester University's top-ranked field hockey squad took to the road Tuesday afternoon and came away with a 4-2 victory over No. 5 Shippensburg at Robb Sports Complex.
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West Chester (8-1, 3-0 PSAC East) upped its winning streak to eight while remaining unbeaten in conference play while Shippensburg (7-3, 1-2) dropped its second straight PSAC match. The Golden Rams jumped out in front early and kept the pressure on for most of the first half, opening a 3-0 lead by halftime. Shippensburg responded with a better second half, but West Chester was true to the task in keeping the Raiders at bay.
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How It Happened
- Katie Thompson (Washington, N.J./Warren Hills) notched her fifth goal of the season when she tipped a shot from the top of the circle by Emma Velez (Coatesville, Pa./Bishop Shanahan) past Shippensburg keeper Ali Mooney three minutes into the game.
- Caitie McNamara (Buderim, Australia) scored her second goal of the season when she lifted a shot from the top of the circle that carried over the head of Mooney, who was off her line, and fell in just under the crossbar for a 2-0 lead in the 18th minute.
- Thompson slapped a loose ball out of the air and into the back of the cage just before halftime to put the Golden Rams up 3-0 at the break.
- Shippensburg fought back with a pair of goals in the first four minutes of the second half. However, Kaitlin Hatch (Sewell, N.J./Washington Twp.) picked up her team-high eighth tally of the year in the 56th minute to add insurance.
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Inside the Box Score
- West Chester goalkeeper Marissa Elizardo (North Wales, Pa./North Penn) made seven saves in the cage for the Golden Rams to improve to 8-1 on the year.
- Shippensburg was awarded eight penalty corners, but converted just one, while West Chester was awarded two corners, but Caitie McNamara converted hers.
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Up Next
- West Chester stays on the road this weekend when the Golden Rams travel to Mercyhurst for a PSAC contest.
