Date: Wednesday – 5 p.m.
Location: West Chester, Pa.
Venue: Vonnie Gros Field
Video: PSAC Digital Network -
LINK
Live Stats: LINK
All-Time Series: WCU, 19-11
No. 5 West Chester Welcomes in No. 8 Millersville For PSAC Showdown
WEST CHESTER, PA – West Chester University's field hockey team meets up with a familiar foe Wednesday evening at 5 p.m. when eighth-ranked Millersville University pays a visit to Vonnie Gros Field. Wednesday's game marks the final contest of a seven-game homestand for the Golden Rams that have seen them go 4-2 in the first six tilts.
The Golden Rams, ranked fifth in Division II, is riding a modest two-game winning streak and has won four of its last five contests. The Golden Rams are coming in off an inspiring upset over then-No. 3 East Stroudsburg, 2-1, in overtime. West Chester also dismissed No. 7 Mansfield, 3-2, earlier in the week for its other victory.
After two strong performances last week, the Marauders find themselves back in the NFHCA national rankings. The Marauders went 1-1 on the week, but took No. 2 Kutztown to overtime in the one setback.
Szymborski Earns PSAC Defensive Athlete of the Week Honors
West Chester University sophomore goalkeeper,
Audra Szymborski (Furlong, Pa./Central Bucks East), was named the defensive athlete of the week by the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) it was announced by that organization Tuesday afternoon.
Szymborski backstopped West Chester to a pair of wins last week over nationally ranked opponents. She helped West Chester beat No. 7 Mansfield, 3-2, on Wednesday and then upset No. 3 East Stroudsburg, 2-1 in overtime on Saturday. Szymborski made 13 saves on 16 shots. She tied a season-high with nine saves in the win over East Stroudsburg. She made four saves in the win over Mansfield.
Szymborski is the first Golden Rams player to be honored by the conference in its weekly awards this fall. Last year, playing for Wingate University in the South Atlantic Conference, Szymborski was a three-time weekly winner of that loop's defensive player of the week award. She also was the national defensive player of the week on Oct. 9, 2024.
SCOUTING THE GOLDEN RAMS
West Chester was one of four teams in the conference to open the league slate with a victory. However, its win was perhaps the most eye-opening of the foursome. The Golden Rams defeated East Stroudsburg in overtime to end a personal five-game losing streak to the Warriors. Junior midfielder
Veerle Hersman was once again the catalyst behind the win by striking first in the match midway through the third quarter. She also scored the game-winning goal against Mansfield in the fourth quarter earlier in the week. She leads the team in goals scored with seven and has scored at least one goal in six of the Golden Rams' eight games. She has three game-winning goals on the year as well.
SCOUTING THE MARAUDERS
Millersville University field hockey grad student Emma Ruley was named to the NFHCA Watchlist announced by the National Field Hockey Coaches Association before the season began. She led the way against Slippery Rock last week in a win for the Marauders. Ruley currently leads the team in scoring with six goals and 14 points. Alexis Kern has five goals, including a pair of game-winners, and 12 points to support Ruley offensively. Senior goalkeeper Sarah Crysler has earned the most playing time in her first year as the Marauders' starting keeper. She is 4-1 in seven starts with a 1.70 goals-against average.
WCU FIELD HOCKEY A FAMILY AFFAIR
West Chester University has always prided itself on being one big happy family. This year's roster is an example of that as freshman
Lily Coombs has joined her older sister, Emma, at West Chester. The two midfielders play up top in head coach
Amy Cohen's system.
WATCH ON YOUR TV - "PSAC SPORTS DIGITAL NETWORK" APPS
Fans can watch West Chester's games live and on-demand for free on the PSAC Sports Digital Network, produced by the Sports Fan Base Network (SFBN). Search for the PSAC Sports Digital Network in the app stores on Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, Roku and Android TV devices.
UP NEXT
The Golden Rams finally hit the road after a seven-game homestand when they travel to Shippensburg on Saturday afternoon.
