EASTON, MASS. – Senior
Emma Velez (Coatesville, Pa./Bishop Shanahan) converted a penalty stroke with 11 minutes left in the game to complete a second-half comeback and finish off a 3-2 non-league victory over host Stonehill at W.B. Mason Stadium on a sun-splashed Labor Day afternoon.
With the win, West Chester (3-0) completed a season-opening swing through New England undefeated with road victories over a pair of nationally ranked opponents to boot. A 2-1 win over No. 7 Assumption on Friday, coupled with today's win over 10th-ranked Stonehill, stamped the Golden Rams' statement as the top team in the land. Monday's win was the second in as many days, following yesterday's 4-1 triumph over Bentley.
Trailing 2-1 at the break, West Chester knotted things up with a tip from freshman
Valerie van Kuijck (Denbosch, The Netherlands/Pierson School) off a dart from
Dara Spavlik (Hockessin, Del./Conrad) midway through the third quarter. For van Kuijck, it was her third goal in as many games. The Dutch wonder has scored a goal in each of West Chester's first three contests.
Paige Wolfe (Downingtown, Pa./Downingtown East) picked up her second goal of the season in the first half. However, the host Skyhawks made good on two of their four shots in the first 30 minutes and took a 2-1 advantage into the locker rooms.
Junior goalkeeper
Claire Nielsen (Wescosville, Pa./Emmaus) picked up her third win of the year in the cage for the Golden Rams, making two saves. West Chester limited the Skyhawks to just six shots and three penalty corner opportunities on the afternoon.
West Chester opens its home slate on Saturday when Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) rival Shippensburg visits Vonnie Gros Field for a non-league showdown of Division II powers.
