PHILADELPHIA, Pa.- Alyson Cutter (Warrington, Pa./C.B. South) scored the eventual game-winner in the 66
th minute to help propel the 11
th-ranked West Chester University women's soccer team (1-0) to a 2-1 season-opening victory over Holy Family (0-1).
Returning First Team All-American
Faith Matter (Middletown, Pa./Middletown) had the honor being the first Golden Ram to score a goal this season, scoring in the 52
nd minute off an assist from sophomore
Lauren Reimold (Chester Springs, Pa./Downingtown East), which gave the visiting Golden Rams a 1-0 lead early in the second half.
Cutter doubled the lead just under 15 minutes later off an assist from fellow captain
Lauren Corless (Old Bridge, N.J./Old Bridge), giving the Golden Rams a commanding two-goal advantage as the game neared its 70
th minute.
In the 74
th minute, Holy Family capitalized on its increased pressure in the second half with its first goal of the year as Lexi Murphy used an assist from Allison Loper to cut the West Chester lead in half.
This tally was the final shot of the night for Holy Family as West Chester controlled possession throughout the final 15 minutes of play to hold on for the 2-1 season-opening victory.
West Chester ended the game with a solid 16-13 lead in shots, including a commanding 7-3 advantage in shots on goal.
Appearing in her first action of 2024,
Grace Keen (Lincoln University, Pa./Avon Grove) was strong in goal once again, making a pair of saves while allowing just one goal in the victory. Her counterpart, Holy Family keeper Jaina Preuhs, was also strong in goal, making four stops to limit the potent Golden Ram offense throughout the evening.
Up Next:
West Chester will return to action on September 11 against Shippensburg beginning at 2 p.m.
