For the fourteenth edition of our Memorable Moments series we go back to late November when the Rams of West Chester University won the NCAA Field Hockey Division II title for the seventh time, and are still undefeated in national championship games. The Golden Rams defeated the Saint Anselm College Hawks 2 – 1 in the final at Millersville, PA.
Coach Amy Cohen got her third national championship as coach. The program won back-to-back titles in 2011 and 2012.
West Chester finished the season with a 20 – 1 record and went undefeated in PSAC Conference play during the regular season. They entered the tournament as the top-seed.
The Golden Rams got the first two goals in the title game. Marre Corver and Katie Thompson scored early. It was up to the defense to hold the lead. Saint Anselm got a goal with 7 seconds left in the first half, but neither team would score for the remainder of the match. Rams goal keeper Claire Nielson, a freshman, made three saves and got win number 20 for the season.
In the semifinal match West Chester defeated the Bears of Kutztown, the #4 seed, 2- 0 to advance to the final. Kat Roncoroni and Corver scored the goals, both in the first half. Kutztown was the only team to beat West Chester during the season. In the PSAC Semifinal match the Bears edged the Golden Rams 3 – 2 in overtime. Two weeks later they met again for the third time in what would be the most important game. WCU won the regular season game 3 – 2.
The National Field Hockey Coaches Association named Thompson as the Atlantic Region Player of the Year. The senior forward scored the title-winning goal and had an assist in the Saint Anselm game. She led the NCAA Division II in assists with 17 during the year. Thompson scored 22 goals and recorded 61 points to rank second in the country.
Written By: Glenn Papazian
Contact: Glenn@PhillyCollegeSports.com
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