2008 Woodie Awards
Women's soccer falls in PSAC final
Looks to topple Adelphi in first round of nationals
By Brandon Fox
Rocket Sports Editor
Issue date: 11/9/07 Section: Sports
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It would have given the Rock (16-4-1) the opportunity to host its first-ever NCAA regional playoff game.
It would have given the team two straight victories over West Chester, the defending PSAC and Northeast Regional champions.
It would have been fitting.
But it wasn't.
Instead, West Chester had its own plans. Plans that included capturing a second consecutive PSAC championship and exacting a measure of revenge against a Rock team that dominated the Golden Rams in a 3-1 victory on Oct. 20.
With its 2-0 victory, West Chester received an automatic bid into the regional playoffs and vaulted themselves into the No. 2 position in the Regional rankings. The Rock remained in third and also earned a second-consecutive trip to NCAA postseason competition.
Sunday's game, which was hosted by West Chester, was scoreless until the Golden Rams converted a penalty kick in the 72nd minute to go up 1-0.
"The penalty kick was very disappointing," Rock Head Coach Noreen Herlihy said. "Especially in a championship game and at the time it occurred. But you know it is something that is part of the game."
The Rock would not let WCU coast to victory, though, and was able to pressure the Golden Rams as the game was winding down.
But West Chester put the icing on the cake in the 87th minute when Sarah Oswald put a shot past Rock goalie Lauren McManus to give the Golden Rams a 2-0 victory.
"I thought the players stepped up after the first goal and put some good pressure on their defense," Herlihy said. "We pulled a defender and pushed up, looking for the equalizer. They got a breakaway with our defense pushed up and they buried it home."
Despite the loss, Herlihy feels confident heading into Friday's game against sixth-seeded Adelphi (12-5), a team SRU has never faced.
"We are ready and looking forward to the game," Herlihy said. "They (the team) want to go out there and redeem themselves. We are going to go out there and play our game."
The Rock punched its ticket into the PSAC Championship thanks to a 2-0 shutout of Edinboro in last Friday's semifinal game.
The shutout was highlighted by freshman Alison Hindley's two-goal performance. The tallies marked Hindley's seven and eighth goals in her last six games.
"The amazing thing about Ali is that she is only a freshman, but she plays like a junior or senior," Herlihy said. "You never doubt her work ethic because she practices just like she plays. She has been a great addition to the team this year."
Sunday's loss to West Chester wasn't the only setback for the team, as the status of McManus-the conference leader in save percentage (.844) and the second-ranked goalie in goals allowed (0.93)-is still uncertain.
She sustained a rib injury in the loss and was held out of practice for most of the week.
"We are waiting to hear back on Lauren," Herlihy said. "We are unsure of whether she will play or not."
If McManus is unable to go, backup Sarah Lacy, who has only one career start, will step into the starting role for Herlihy's squad.
"Sarah is very respected by the coaches and the players. She has done very well this week at practice," Herlihy said. "If she is the No. 1 keeper, we have the utmost confidence in her. She will be looking to prove herself. She will be ready."
The Green and White's game against Adelphi is set to kickoff today at noon at the South Campus Soccer Facility on the campus of West Chester University.
A Rock victory would set up a rubber match between the Green and White and host West Chester, but Herlihy said her team has its sights set squarely on the task at hand: beating Adelphi.
"We have banned the name West Chester this week," she said. "We have to take care of the business in front of us and worry about what comes later."
If the Rock can get through the first two rounds, it will advance to the Northeast Regional Championship Game, a feat Herlihy said is within her team's reach.
"As a coach, I am going to say we can go all the way," Herlihy said. "A lot will depend on the play of our young players. We are one of the youngest teams in the region and it will depend on how they handle the pressure of being on such a stage."
"They have done it all year long. I don't like to look too far ahead, I'd rather take it one game at a time. But we are more than capable of going far."
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