WEST CHESTER, Pa. - The Mansfield Mountaineers women's soccer team (3-8-2, 2-7-2 PSAC East) was unable to pull off the upset, losing to the West Chester Golden Rams (8-3-1, 8-3 PSAC East) by a final score of 1-0 in Saturday's rain-soaked matinee.

In their last match-up, West Chester was able to escape Mansfield with a 1-0 victory. Mansfield headed into this one looking to return the favor and steal a win on the road.

West Chester started the first half quickly recording five shots in the first ten minutes, three of which were saved by Mansfield Goalkeeper Samantha Merklin.

The Golden Rams put up 14 shots in the first half and drew seven corner opportunities.

Merklin was up to the task in the first, making a total of seven saves to keep the game knotted at zero going into the break. 

In the 52nd minute, West Chester rang one off the crossbar from the edge of the box off of a low-driven cross. The follow-up opportunity skied high over the goal and the Mounties were able to escape further trouble. 

The Golden Rams once again had a shot hit off the crossbar in the 65th when a long-distance strike rose a bit too much and deflected out of play for a Mountaineer goal kick. 

West Chester broke the scoreless tie in the 71st minute when forward Lauren Corless was finally able to get a shot past the Mansfield defense to put the Rams ahead 1-0.

Merklin finished the game with a season-high ten saves. 

Katelyn Rueppel and Olivia Hudson each recorded a shot on goal for the Mountaineers. 

UP NEXT:

The Mountaineers take on the Bloomsburg University Huskies back at home on Wednesday, October 18. Kickoff is scheduled for 3 p.m. at the MU Soccer Field.