Women's Soccer Falls in the NCAA East Regional Final to Kutztown, 3-2
WEST CHESTER, Pa. – A second half surge by visiting Kutztown allowed the Golden Bears to capture a 3-2 victory over West Chester in the NCAA East Regional Final inside Rockwell Field Friday afternoon. The Golden Rams (19-1-1) grabbed all the momentum early in the contest as PSAC Conference Player of the Year Scarlett Walsh (Philadelphia, Pa./Archbishop Ryan) headed in a pass from Lexi Brown (Levittown, Pa./Pennsbury) at the 16:50 mark. Walsh's header was her team-leading 10th goal of the season to give West Chester a 1-0 lead. Nearly 15 minutes later, fellow senior Haley Mangiaruga (North Wales, Pa./North Penn) found the back of the net after a beautiful setup along the left side of box by Julia Kirkpatrick (Brick, N.J./Brick Twp). West Chester clung to a 2-0 lead until Kutztown's Emily Ziercan in the 42nd minute beat goalkeeper Alex Srolis (Chester Springs, Pa./Downingtown East) to cut the deficit in half. After halftime, the Golden Bears (19-4-0) took control of the match. Kutztown ultimately tallied three unanswered goals in the span of 16 minutes and four seconds. Kutztown's Maddie Mohr tied the match at two apiece in the 50th minute. Shortly after, Kristina's Miller first goal of season proved to be the difference-maker. Kate Martin setup Miller on a corner kick to record the third unanswered goal by the Golden Bears. The Golden Rams tried to rally late, but a tough Kutztown defense prevailed to hand West Chester its first loss of the season. West Chester's Srolis managed five saves, while allowing three goals in-between the pipes for the Golden Rams. Kutztown's Imani Taylor played in 90 minutes of action as well, making two saves and allowing a pair of goals. West Chester registered more shots, holding a 13-10 edge over Kutztown. However, the Golden Bears did hold a 9-8 advantage in corner kicks. The Golden Rams concluded their 2016 campaign with an undefeated regular season record and the most wins since 2009 with 19. Additional Notes: Betty Ann Kempf Townsley was named the PSAC women's soccer coach of the year for the second time in her decade on the Golden Rams' sideline. Goalkeeper Alexis Srolis ends up owning a pair of program records, recording the most wins and shutouts in her four-year career for the Golden Rams.
