SHEPHERDSTOWN, W.V..- Victoria Pungello (Jackson, N.J./Jackson Memorial) scored in the 56
th minute to break open a scoreless game and help the West Chester University women's soccer team (6-3-0, 5-3-0) to a 1-0 victory over No. 17 and previously unbeaten Shepherd (6-1-3, 6-1-1) on Wednesday afternoon.
Pungello's goal cam early in the second half after a flurry of action in the box, which included a shot by
Alyson Cutter (Warrington, Pa./C.B. South), which required a save by Shepherd keeper Hannah Wilt earlier just minutes before.
Shepherd pressured West Chester throughout the afternoon, out shooting the Golden Rams 4-2 in the first half with two shots finding their way on goal, while neither Golden Ram chance was on target in the opening 45 minutes.
Shepherd continues its attack to open the second half, taking a shot on
Grace Keen (Lincoln University, Pa./Avon Grove) just 25 seconds into the second half but the sophomore keeper made her third save of the afternoon with relative ease to keep the Rams off the scoreboard.
After taking its one-goal lead, West Chester was able to out possess its previously unbeaten hosts down the stretch of the second half, allowing the Rams just one more shot on goal in the 63
rd minute and just three more shots total to complete the upset.
West Chester ended the match with an 11-9 lead in shots and a 6-4 lead in shots on goal, while also ending the match with a 3-2 lead in corners after ending the first half with a 2-1 advantage in this category.
Keen was excellent in goal as she picked up her second shutout in as many games with four saves, while her counterpart, Wilt was sharp as well, making five saves of her own in the setback.
Up Next
West Chester returns to action on Saturday afternoon at home against East Stroudsburg beginning at 12 p.m.
