2008 Woodie Awards
Lady Rams continue quest for greatness
By LJ Harrell
Issue date: 11/12/07 Section: Sports
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After winning their second consecutive PSAC Championship, and finishing the season with a 16-2-2 record, the 2007 West Chester Women's Soccer Team is in the NCAA Division II playoffs for the fifth consecutive year. They are ranked as the number two seed in the Northeast Region and will host the first two rounds of the playoffs. The home field advantage is big for the Lady Rams because they have not lost a home game since 2005 and are an unprecedented 26-0-2 during that time.
With seniors Lauren Ginnona, Danielle Curry and Danielle Gerz; juniors Brittany Yetter and Lauren Boyer; and freshman standout Sarah Oswald leading the way, this team has a chance to play deep into the tournament. After last year's run to the national semifinals where they were defeated by Metro State in Florida, the Lady Rams could exceed the expectations that were set upon them at the beginning of the season.
"I think we could make it all the way to the final four again. I have confidence in my teammates. We've been playing just as well this year as we were last year," Yetter said of how well the team can do during the tournament.
While out scoring and out shooting their opponents throughout the year, the Rams have the talent to score on whomever they have to face in the playoffs. It does seem that the Rams are best when on the offensive, but with All-PSAC first team selection Boyer commanding the defense, and with Hilary Smart or Brittany Barnes in between the pipes, this team is complete.
The combination of Smart and Barnes has compiled eleven shutouts this season. Earlier in the season they went through a stretch of five consecutive games without allowing a goal, and are now in the process of four shutouts in a row. Smart has a 0.71 GAA, and Barnes has a 0.46 GAA. These two goal keepers have given the Rams the sense that they are unstoppable. Even if the opposition is shutting down the offense, they believe that with these two experienced keepers behind them, they can win in any type of game.
With seniors Lauren Ginnona, Danielle Curry and Danielle Gerz; juniors Brittany Yetter and Lauren Boyer; and freshman standout Sarah Oswald leading the way, this team has a chance to play deep into the tournament. After last year's run to the national semifinals where they were defeated by Metro State in Florida, the Lady Rams could exceed the expectations that were set upon them at the beginning of the season.
"I think we could make it all the way to the final four again. I have confidence in my teammates. We've been playing just as well this year as we were last year," Yetter said of how well the team can do during the tournament.
While out scoring and out shooting their opponents throughout the year, the Rams have the talent to score on whomever they have to face in the playoffs. It does seem that the Rams are best when on the offensive, but with All-PSAC first team selection Boyer commanding the defense, and with Hilary Smart or Brittany Barnes in between the pipes, this team is complete.
The combination of Smart and Barnes has compiled eleven shutouts this season. Earlier in the season they went through a stretch of five consecutive games without allowing a goal, and are now in the process of four shutouts in a row. Smart has a 0.71 GAA, and Barnes has a 0.46 GAA. These two goal keepers have given the Rams the sense that they are unstoppable. Even if the opposition is shutting down the offense, they believe that with these two experienced keepers behind them, they can win in any type of game.
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