WEST CHESTER, Pa.- The 16
th-ranked West Chester women's soccer team (1-0) started off their season with a 4-1 victory over Jefferson University (0-1) in non-league action Thursday afternoon.
In the thirteenth minute Jefferson jumped out to an early lead with a goal scored by Abby Lytle following a blocked shot from Devin Sullivan.
Moments later West Chester answered back after
Faith Matter (Middletown, PA / Middletown) crossed to
Julia Raybold (Elizabethtown, PA / Elizabethtown) who scored on a shot from the top of the box over the out-stretched hand of the Jefferson goalie to tie the game 1-1.
Later in the half, West Chester generated a pair of opportunities with shots from
Alyson Cutter (Warrington, PA / Central Bucks South) and
Maggie Lena (Santa Monica, CA / Santa Monica) that were saved by Jefferson goalie, Jaclyn Martino.
West Chester wasted little time in the start of the second half when
Kelli Collins scored in the 46th minute to lift the Golden Rams 2-1.
Later in the second half, West Chester scored two more goals minutes apart as
Kiley Kergides (Rydal, PA / Germantown Academy) scored on a direct free-kick resulting from a Jefferson foul. A Cutter cross to
Nicolette Harrison (Perkasie, PA / Pennridge) set the Golden Rams up for their fourth goal of the match in the 66th minute.
Down the stretch, West Chester controlled the possession, holding the ball in the offensive zone for much of the final 20 minutes of the match to cruise to the three-goal victory in the season opener.
West Chester ended the match with a 28-5 advantage in shots and a 16-3 edge in shots on goal while also ending the game with a 6-2 edge in corner kicks.
Between the pipes, Martino made 12 stops for the Rams while
Hayley McGee (Mechanicsburg, Pa./Cumberland Valley) made a pair of saves of her own to slow the Jefferson offense in the season opening victory.
West Chester returns to action next Wednesday afternoon in its PSAC opener vs Shippensburg beginning at 2 p.m.
