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Shepherd reaches new heights in stopping Gannon in Regional women’s soccer

By Bob Madison - For the Chronicle | Dec 6, 2024

Peternel

SHEPHERDSTOWN — It was cold and even a bit bitter when Shepherd University’s women’s soccer team lined up against visiting Gannon University in the finals of the NCAA Division II Atlantic Regional last Sunday afternoon. But it was soon to be warm and toasty, as the Rams hoisted the large trophy they earned with a 1-0 win over the team from frigid Erie, Pa.

The lone goal of the weather-influenced afternoon came in the second half from the Rams’ Josie Beezel. The scoreless opening half had seen Shepherd getting more scoring opportunities, but not being able to capitalize on them.

As the numbing temperature continued to own the day, Shepherd goalkeeper Hannah Wilt continued to keep Gannon scoreless. She would finish the Regional title game with a career-high 11 saves.

At times, Gannon was able to discomfort the Rams and their possession-styled offense, but Shepherd continued to make adjustments and was eventually rewarded with Beezel’s unassisted goal.

Both teams hustled through the chill with their long-sleeved shirts worn under the numbered uniform tops. Gloves helped a few players, but both defenses held sway for the most part.

Beezel

Shepherd had won their Atlantic Regional opener on the previous Sunday, when it defeated West Virginia State University, 2-1, in Shepherdstown.

Sarah Peternel scored the game’s first goal and the once-beaten Rams took a 2-0 lead on a Lydia Gable, goal after an assist pass from Beezel.

After Shepherd’s 2-0 lead, the Yellow Jackets scored their lone goal of the afternoon.

In beating Gannon in the Regional championship game, Shepherd had an 18-1-4 record and was winging along with an 11-game winning streak.

Next for the Rams will be the national quarterfinals that will find them in Rindge, N.H. to play Franklin Pierce University of the Northeast 10 Conference.

Wilt

Franklin Pierce defeated Thomas Jefferson University in a shootout decided by penalty kicks on Sunday at home.

The Ravens are 18-3-2 overall and claimed the Eastern Regional crown by beating Jefferson.

A cosmopolitan roster that features three players from Finland and others from Italy, Australia, Sweden, Germany, England and Slovenia will greet the Rams on a day where the predicted temperature will find a high of 29 degrees on a partly cloudy New England afternoon.

Shepherd is an unbeaten 6-0-3 in road games this season and 2-0 in neutral-site games.

Building on its current winning streak saw the Rams also defeat Bloomsburg, Slippery Rock and Kutztown to win the PSAC Tournament following the regular season successes.

Gable

Cold December days for the Rams. But they are accomplishing things on the national level that no other Shepherd women’s athletic team has ever done.