WORCESTER, MASS –
Valerie van Kuijck (Denbosch, The Netherlands) goal almost five minutes into overtime provided the golden goal for No. 1 West Chester as the defending national champions escaped Brian Kelly Stadium with a 2-1 overtime victory over host Assumption in the 2021 season opener.
Both West Chester goal scorers made their collegiate debuts. The Golden Rams played their first field hockey contest in 650 days.
Assumption broke a scoreless tie in the 51st minute off a goal from Mia Salah that put the hosts on top. However, West Chester's
Paige Wolfe (Downingtown, Pa./Downingtown East) evened things up 25 seconds later with a highlight-reel goal.
That's the way things stood until extra time.
Junior goalkeeper
Claire Nielsen (Wescosville, Pa./Emmaus) made one save to pick up the win in the cage. The Golden Rams peppered Assumption keeper Kylie Gargiulo with 19 shots, 16 on goal.
West Chester continues its trip to the New England region with a 12 pm start on Sunday at Bentley.
