ESU Women’s Soccer Keeps On Winning

By Cory Nidoh
Opinion Editor

The East Stroudsburg University Women’s Soccer team has strung together its seventh consecutive PSAC win with a 2-1 double-overtime victory over the #6 ranked West Chester Golden Rams Tuesday afternoon, making it the longest winning streak over PSAC competition and the first ever road win against a top ten NSCAA Top 10 team.

Senior forward Courtney Keller scored the tying goal in the 79th minute to keep the Warriors in the game against the highly touted Golden Rams.

The first overtime period was scoreless and with 2:18 left in the second overtime, sophomore forward Brielyn Hackett scored the game winner.

After a 1-0 home opening loss to Kutztown, the team won their last six games, which included a successful trip out to the western part of the state, and outscoring their opponents 13-4.

Following a 2-1 win over Mercyhurst, the team became nationally ranked in the NSCAA Division II poll.

The Warriors improved to 2-1 with wins over Edinboro and Mansfield after their loss, before posting back-to-back road wins against nationally ranked Gannon at the time and Mercyhurst.

After their 2-1 win over Mercyhurst to improve to 4-1, the Warriors were back on the national radar in Division II for the second consecutive year.

The thrilling 2-1 overtime win over Bloomsburg last Wednesday was led by sophomore back Laurel Neira who scored both goals, including a game-winning header 6:51 into overtime to give ESU their fifth straight win of the season.

Out in Lock Haven, senior forward Courtney Keller continued to pace the team with eight points, adding a pair of goals to her ledger in the 4-1 win over the Bald Eagles. This gave her three, along with two assists so far this season.

Along with Keller, Neira has scored three goals in the last two games including a goal against Lock Haven to go along with her two goals against the Huskies in the overtime win.

The goalkeeper position, played by Brittain Wagner, was a strength for the Warriors last season. The spot is now played by freshmen Jules Harris and Jess Hetrick.

Harris has seen the most playing time so far this season recording 21 saves and allowing three goals. Ketrick, who earned her first start against Bloomsburg and split time with Harris against Lock Haven, had seven saves and two goals allowed.

This season, the Warriors are off to a strong start that is similar to last season. However, ESU finished out the rest of last season with a 3-5 record, failing to make the playoffs.

Email Cory at:
cnidoh@live.esu.edu