BOX SCORE

BLOOMSBURG—After 100 minutes of action and five rounds of penalty strokes, the West Chester Golden Rams (16-4) punched their ticket into the NCAA Championship game.  The Golden Rams outshot the Huskies 27-21 and totaled 19 corners to Bloomsburg's eight.

Bloomsburg University (19-1) took a 1-0 lead at the 26:13 mark in the first half.  Brittany Mathews (Reedsville/Indian Valley) scored the game's opening goal after receiving a pass from Sandy Anceravage (Bloomsburg/Bloomsburg) from the left side of the circle.  From there Mathews dribbled toward the net, drawing out the West Chester goalie before flicking a shot into the right corner for a goal. 

A little over four minutes later West Chester's Kayla Gluchowski tied things up at one a piece.  On a penalty corner, Kelsi Lykens fired a shot that was blocked by a BU defender leaving the loose ball in front of the net.  Gluchowski came up with the loose ball and buried a shot to tie things up.

Less than two minutes later the Golden Rams produced their second goal of the game.  Michele Schrift flicked a shot for a goal after a high pass from Carly Buckwalter.  West Chester's second goal came as a result of a penalty corner chance. 

Neither team scored for the remainder of the first, with the score in favor of West Chester, 2-1.  The Golden Rams held the advantage in shots and corners in the half, outshooting Bloomsburg 10-5 and had 11 corners to the Husky's one.

West Chester had a chance to stretch their lead to two as Leah Angstadt was awarded a penalty stroke at the 43:56 mark.  Bloomsburg goalie Meghan Hollenbach (Blandon/Fleetwood) made a diving save on the stick side to keep it a one goal game. 

The Huskies were awarded a penalty corner around the 46 minute mark of the half; from there Bloomsburg's Jenna DiSabatino (Mountain Top/Crestwood) tied the game at 2-2 with a lofted shot that beat the goalie on the right side.  DiSabatino's goal was assisted by Amber Aulenbach (Fleetwood/Oley Valley).

After several scoring chances were spoiled for both teams, the game remained 2-2 at the end of regulation. 

The Golden Rams kept the pressure on the Huskies in the first overtime period, outshooting them 8-4 and owning a 4-1 advantage in corners.  However, neither team produced a score resulting in another 15 minute period. 

In the second 15 minutes, it was the Huskies who had the scoring chances, firing seven shots to West Chester's four and owned a 2-0 advantage in corners.   Just like the first OT period, no goals were produced, leading to a stroke-off to decide who would advance into the NCAA championship game.

West Chester's Nancy Stehman buried the first attempt of the stroke-off as Bloomsburg's Samantha Facciolla (Holland/Council Rock South)'s shot was blocked.  Leah Angstadt would shoot next for the Golden Rams but a save from Meghan Hollenbach (Blandon/Fleetwood) kept it at 1-0.  Jenna DiSabatino (Mountain Top/Crestwood) made it 1-1 after she converted on her try. 

The Golden Rams connected on two of their next three attempts while Bloomsburg scored on one of three leading to West Chester's first appearance in the NCAA Division II championship.

Both goalies were tested today as West Chester's Kristin Arnold made three saves combined with four other defensive saves by teammates.  Bloomsburg's Meghan Hollenbach (Blandon/Fleetwood) had 12 saves while her teammates blocked four others.

With the win West Chester advances to the NCAA Division II championship game which will be played on Sunday, November 13.  Game-time is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. at Sports Stadium in Bloomsburg, PA.
 
From Bloomsburg University head coach Nikki Rhoads:
“I have to give credit where credit is due to West Chester, they played extremely well.  This is a tough one to swallow for us; it has been a team effort all year long.  We couldn't capitalize on our chances and we couldn't finish today”

From West Chester University head coach Amy Cohen:
“We are grateful for the opportunity to be in the tournament after the loss to C.W. Post but we worked hard every single day for this and we left everything on the field today.  We gained our confidence back after the Shippensburg game and today we set the standard for West Chester field hockey by reaching the NCAA Division II championship game.”