ALBANY, N.Y.-Kiley Kergides (Rydal, Pa./Germantown Academy) scored with just over one minute to play in regulation after a
Jacqueline Hug (West Chester, Pa./Unionville) foul just outside the box to lift West Chester (21-0-1) to a thrilling 1-0 victory over Kutztown (11-6-4) in the NCAA Tournament Atlantic Region Championship game on a blustery Friday afternoon.
With this win, West Chester secured its first Regional Crown since the 2017 season, when the Golden Rams knocked off East Stroudsburg at Mercy before falling to host Mavericks in the Round of 8. This victory also gives head coach
Betty Ann Kempf Townsley the sixth Regional Title of her career.
"It's so exciting to be able to win a Regional Championship again," opened coach Kempf Townsley. "We came very close last year, and to get through that and then come back this year and win today was huge for us."
"It's an awesome feeling," opened senior goalkeeper
Hayley McGee on the Regional Championship. "It's been four years in the making, so to achieve this my senior is an awesome feeling," continued McGee.
West Chester controlled possession throughout the match, ending the contest with a 16-4 advantage in shots and a 6-4 advantage in corners.
Hayley McGee (Mechanicsburg, Pa./Cumberland Valley) made two big saves to earn her 21
st win of the year and move into a tie for first in single-season victories, matching the 21 wins that Hilary Smart recorded during the 2006 season.
"The defense did a great job all day today, playing really well as a unit throughout the game," said the Golden Rams senior keeper. "We did a great job blocking shots and limiting their opportunities, especially the big block by Jordan Dupes late in the game," said McGee.
The first half went scoreless as neither West Chester nor Kutztown could break through with a goal in the first 45 minutes of action.
West Chester applied early pressure, taking three shots in the first 15 minutes of play, two of which were saved by Emme Wolfel to keep the game scoreless.
In the 16
th minute, Kutztown generated it's first and only scoring chance of the half, but
Hayley McGee (Mechanicsburg, Pa./Cumberland Valley) was there to make the save and keep the Golden Bears off the scoreboard.
In the final 30 minutes of the opening half, the game was played primarily in the midfield, with only two shots being taken, both by West Chester in the 19
th and 23
rd minutes, with a
Kaitlynn Haughey (Philadelphia, Pa./Penn Charter) shot arcing just over the crossbar before Kutztown keeper Emme Wolfel made a save on a shot into the low center of the goal off the foot of PSAC East Freshman of the year
Faith Matter (Middletown, Pa./Middletown).
After halftime, West Chester applied early pressure to the Kutztown defense, was able to withstand the early-half surge, and keep the game scoreless. As the half progressed, Kutztown began to amp up its pressure, but the McGee and the Golden Ram backline were able to withstand the surge and keep the game even.
With the contest appearing destined for overtime, Hug got the ball in the midfield and made a series of nice moves, dribbling through Golden Bear defenders before finally being fouled a few yards outside of the box, leading to a late free kick. Kergides stepped up to take the free kick as she had done many times throughout the season after a quick consultation with teammate
Jenna Fox (Magnolia, Del./Polytech), uncorked a rocket off the fingers of Cassandra Baker, who had entered in relief of Wolfel late in the first half.
"We got a free kick, I set the ball on the spot, and was looking at all of our options," opened Kergides on the game-winner. "I looked at Jenna, and she said what do you want, and I said I want to take a shot. With a minute left, there is nothing better than just to take a shot, and when I saw it deflect in and go into the corner pocket, we were able to celebrate, and it was awesome to see. As great as it is to score a game-winner, I have to give credit to my teammates as they do so much, and none of this would be possible without them.
"Our late goal came after continued pressing and creating opportunities throughout the entire second half," said Kempf Townsley on the victory. "We created a lot of great chances in the second half, and the final missing piece was the scoring until late in the game when we were able to find the goal. These girls have great character and perseverance and worked so hard until the very end, so to get that goal was a great feeling," concluded Kempf Townsley.
Kutztown generated a final chance late in regulation, but the chance went by the wayside with the ball rolling harmlessly off the endline, which led to a goal kick and allowed the Golden Rams to rejoice with their first Regional Crown in five years.
Baker had a big second half for Kutztown, making four saves, including a great leaping stop on a shot from just inside the box off the foot of
Julia Raybold (Elizabethtown, Pa./Elizabethtown) to keep the match scoreless at that point. Wolfel, who played most of the first half before exiting due to injury late in the half, also played well, making three big saves of her own in the season-ending loss.
West Chester will have a busy night of scouting ahead of itself as the Golden Rams must ready themselves for their next opponent in the East Region Champion, which will be the winner of the St. Rose/Franklin Pierce match later this afternoon.
"We have to enjoy this win and enjoy tonight and then watch this game and start preparing for Sunday," said Kempf Townsley when asked about the challenge ahead. "Whether we see St. Rose or Franklin Pierce, we know it will be a great game, and we are looking forward to facing a different opponent," concluded Kempf Townsley.
Additional information on the Golden Rams opponent on Sunday afternoon at 2 p.m. will be posted to wcupagoldenrams.com and WCU Athletics social media accounts as it becomes available once play concludes this evening.
