KUTZTOWN, Pa. — The Fairmont State women's soccer team (16-3-3) kept pressure on during a 14-minute first-half stretch but lost to West Chester (14-2-3, 11-2-1) 1-0 in the first round of the NCAA Championship. The Falcons finished with 14 shots, six on goal and earned six corner kicks. The Golden Rams also had 14 shots, put seven on frame and scored once in the second half.
The Falcons finished the first half with sustained pressure but could not break through, recording five shots and two corner kicks from 34:07 to 43:43 while the Golden Rams kept the match scoreless. Early in the opening half,
Olivia Johnston helped the Falcons absorb the Golden Rams' opening push with saves in the fourth and 10th minutes, and the Falcons also had a team save during that early stretch.
Sam Yuen put the Falcons' first shot on frame in the seventh minute, and the Falcons continued to build chances after the first half's midpoint with attempts from
Arrington Sparks,
Stephanie Pedias,
Braylyn Sparks,
Agnes Bjork,
Addison Castaneda and
Valentina Gianinetto. Johnston added another save in the final seconds, and the first half ended 0-0.
The Falcons put four shots toward goal from 70:26 to 79:03, including two
Payton Parliament attempts saved by Grace Keen, before the Golden Rams went ahead 1-0 on Adriana Ryder's goal at 79:07. Earlier in the half, Johnston saved Kianna Barber's bottom-center shot after a corner, and the Falcons responded with attempts from
Ava Yannucci and
Serenity Thomas.
The Falcons continued to create chances through
Braylyn Sparks, who had two shots during the late stretch, and earned a corner at 80:56 after falling behind. Johnston added another save on Barber in the 83rd minute, but the Falcons could not find an equalizer before the match ended with the Golden Rams ahead 1-0.
Johnston recorded five saves while playing all 90 minutes in goal. Parliament put both of her shots on goal.
Braylyn Sparks led the Falcons with three shots.
