WEST CHESTER, Pa.- Lindsay Balmer (Perkasie, Pa./Pennridge) scored the eventual game-winner in the 32
nd minute as the second-seeded West Chester University women's soccer team (15-2-4) defeated sixth-seeded Fairmont State (17-2-3) in the Atlantic Regional Semifinals on Rockwell Field on Sunday afternoon.
"I'm so excited for this group," began head coach
Betty Ann Kempf Townsley. "This team has worked so hard all year, and to see it work out like this is so exciting. We struggled with a bit of adversity early on, but really found our way through. The growth I've seen out of this group with each passing game has truly been phenomenal, and I think we are at a point where we are playing some of our best soccer, and even our youngest players are playing like true veterans."
With this victory, West Chester advances to its third regional final in three seasons and seventh in the last nine campaigns and will face PSAC Tournament Champion Shepherd for the Regional Crown next Sunday afternoon.
Shepherd is the highest remaining seed and is expected to have hosting honors for next weekend as well after hosting and defeating Gannon in the other Atlantic Region Semifinal on Sunday afternoon by a 4-0 final.
"It's great to get back to the Regional Final. I give our senior class a lot of credit for being a real driving force to help us get back to this spot. The drive this group has is something we have talked about all season long, and I think it really shows in moments like this. The seniors had a taste of winning games like this and being in moments like what we will be on Sunday, early in their careers, and love being in those types of games, so very excited to get back to this point," said Kempf Townsley.
Balmer gave West Chester the halftime lead as she scored her sixth of the year off a well-placed pass across the top of the 18 from
Faith Matter (Middletown, Pa./Middletown), who had carried the ball down from midfield to start the chance.
Following its program-record five-goal outburst in the First Round on Friday, West Chester outshot its guests 10-4 in the first half but was limited to just the one goal heading into the halftime break.
In the second half, Fairmont State began to find its footing and tested the West Chester defense a bit more, doubling its shots to eight, including five on goal, compared to just one shot on goal and four total in the first 45 minutes. The Golden Ram defense was at its best down the stretch, shutting down several dangerous chances making their way into the box, and
Grace Keen (Lincoln University, Pa./Avon Grove) was special as well, making five second-half saves and six overall in the victory.
"It was a great defensive effort out of that entire group," acknowledged Kempf Townsley when asked about holding off the late surge by Fairmont State. "Credit to Fairmont State- they put a lot of pressure on us, but I thought we dealt with it really well. The pressure they were applying also freed up some people that we were able to get into space and play the ball to, which worked out well."
With just over six minutes to play in the match,
Victoria Pungello (Jackson, N.J./Jackson Memorial) continued what has been a stellar weekend for the senior midfielder as she scored her third goal of the weekend off Matter's second assist of the day to give West Chester breathing room in the final minutes.
"I'm so happy for Vic (
Victoria Pungello)," said Kempf Townsley. "She is such a great leader and such a hard worker. She is always out here before practice, hitting balls and just trying to get a bit better every day, so for her to have back-to-back games like this is great to see."
West Chester ended the match with a 25-12 lead in shots, including a 10-6 lead in shots on goal and a 3-2 lead in corners.
Olivia Johnston played well in goal for Fairmont State, making eight saves, including six in the second half, to help slow the West Chester offense, which had shown just how dangerous it could be just 48 hours earlier against West Virginia State.
Up Next
West Chester returns to the Atlantic Region Championship match to take on Shepherd next Sunday at 1 p.m., with a spot in the National Quarterfinals on December 6 hanging in the balance.
