EAST STROUDSBURG – Sophomore Becca Heffner scored her third goal of the season just over 10 minutes into Wednesday's contest but it wouldn't be enough as second-ranked East Stroudsburg University dropped a 2-1 decision against top-ranked West Chester at Whitenight Field.
 
ESU (14-2, 7-1 PSAC) broke a scoreless tie at the 10:31 mark of the first quarter as Heffner deposited a rebound off an initial shot from senior Emily Spangler into the back of the net to make it 1-0. The goal marked the first time this season that West Chester allowed its opponent to score first in a contest.
 
The Warriors would take their lead into the second quarter and keep the Golden Rams off the scoreboard until the 20:56 mark of the second quarter. West Chester would be awarded a penalty corner and take full advantage of the opportunity as Sydney Ostroski found a loose ball and beat ESU senior goalkeeper Maddie Richie to the right to knot the score 1-1.
 
Richie would keep the score tied as she made four saves for ESU over the next five minutes of play. The Golden Rams tallied six shots in the quarter and held a 6-4 advantage going into the half against the Warriors.
 
West Chester recorded the only shot on goal in the third quarter as Kat Rancoroni tried to beat Richie at the 32:47 mark only to be denied by the ESU netminder. The Warriors looked to have an opportunity late in the quarter to try and retake the lead as sophomore Celeste Veenstra beat the Golden Rams' defense only to have her shot miss wide of the cage.
 
Following their seventh penalty corner of the contest, West Chester would break the 1-1 tie at the 57:00 mark as Rancoroni beat Richie to the right off a shot from the left side of the circle. The Golden Rams would be able to fend off the Warriors over the final three minutes of the quarter to preserve the victory.
 
Heffner, Veenstra, and Spangler each finished the contest with one shot on goal for ESU, while Veenstra saw her consecutive games with scoring a goal come to an end at seven. Richie made a season-high seven saves in net for the Warriors despite being handed with just her second loss of the season.
 
ESU heads to Seton Hill on Saturday for its final regular-season road match as the Warriors and Griffins get underway at 12 p.m. The Warriors close the 2019 regular season at home on Wednesday against Millersville beginning at 3 p.m.