Ackermann

SHEPHERDSTOWN — With the PSAC tournament on the horizon and just days away, the Shepherd University women’s soccer team has already shown its metal, finding success against two nationally ranked teams this past week.

Playing at home against the conference’s East Division leader West Chester, the Rams tied the Golden Rams, 2-2. It was the second tie of the season between the teams, both of which have qualified for the conference tournament that begins next week. Shepherd was 6-1-6 with the tie and West Chester was 10-1-4.

Shepherd had the first lead on Josie Beezel’s goal after an assist pass from Sarah Peternel. It became a 1-1 game at the half. Beezel’s effort at snapping the tie was denied just before the half closed. West Chester took its first lead at 2-1 in the second half.

Reagan Ackermann was able to get the Rams even at 2-2 after receiving an assist pass from Lydia Gable.

Ackermann’s game-tying goal came with only about five minutes to play.

Schuck

Much of the flow was controlled by Shepherd which forced the tempo for the most part and outshot the Golden Rams, 10-4. Shepherd also had a 5-2 advantage in shots on goal.

In its match against nationally ranked Bloomsburg, Shepherd established a dominance early on and went out to a commanding 4-0 lead by halftime . . . and then finished off a 5-1 win. The Rams moved to 7-1-6 overall and maintained their third-place position in the division.

Bloomsburg could manage only one shot in the first half.

Beezel had both a goal and an assist and Merritt Delk also had a goal and an assist.

The Rams assumed a quick 1-0 lead on Beezel’s goal that saw Delk credited with an assist. Annabelle Wunderlich extended Shepherd’s first half lead to 2-0 as Beezel got her assist on that goal.

Beezel

The first half moved on and Ackermann scored an unassisted goal for a 3-0 Shepherd lead.

Taylor Schuck got an assist pass from Lydia Gable when her goal lifted Shepherd to a 4-0 lead.

Bloomsburg’s only goal was countered by Delk’s score on which Olivia Gardner had an assist.

Shepherd attempted 11 shots and Bloomsburg only two. It was a 7-2 Rams’ lead in shots on goal.

With a match against Millersville this past Wednesday, Shepherd closed the regular season.

Delk

On Monday of this week, Shepherd was in third place with 24 points. West Chester was the leader with 28 points and Kutztown had 25 points for second place.

Five East Division teams qualify for the tournament which begins with the quarterfinals on Nov. 11. The semifinals take place on Nov. 14 and the finals on Nov. 16.

Shepherd is the defending conference champion.