Homecoming ’24
One of the best weekends to be a Warrior is here! Homecoming Weekend 2024 takes place from Friday, Oct. 18, to Sunday, Oct. 20. While on campus, snap some photos and share them using #WarriorHomecoming2024. The ESU women’s soccer team kicks off the weekend on Saturday with a pivotal PSAC East match against first-place Shepherd at 1 p.m. For a full schedule of events, visit esu.edu/homecoming.
The Foe
After starting the Duke Greco era with four straight losses, West Chester (2-4, 2-1 PSAC East) has hit its stride, defeating Shippensburg (28-10) and Shepherd (35-14) in back-to-back weeks. Quarterback Cooper Jordan leads WCU in both passing and rushing. The Downingtown native ranks fifth in the PSAC in passing and second in rushing. Over the past two games, Jordan has thrown for 287 yards and three touchdowns while rushing for 243 yards and four scores. He was named PSAC East Athlete of the Week after the victory over Shepherd. His top target is D’Shaun Seals, who averages 76.3 receiving yards per game and has four touchdown catches. On defense, Connor Noble ranks second in the conference with 64 tackles.
The Series
West Chester holds a 64-23 advantage in the all-time series. However, ESU ended a nine-game losing streak against the Golden Rams with a 28-14 victory last season at John Farrell Stadium. The Warriors will look to beat West Chester at Eiler-Martin Stadium for the first time since 2012, when they earned a 35-28 win.
Last Time They Met
ESU's defense allowed just 177 yards in last season's matchup, limiting West Chester to 56 rushing yards and 121 passing yards. The Warriors forced six punts, two interceptions, and held WCU to just three third-down conversions while recording four sacks. Offensively, ESU dominated the ground game, averaging 5.3 yards per carry on 44 attempts for 234 rushing yards. TJ Harris recorded two interceptions and four tackles. Jonathan Post and Tahir Mills caught touchdown passes from Sean McTaggart, while Tyriq Lewis rushed for 100 yards on 18 carries.
Revisiting Bloomsburg
ESU posted its first shutout since 2012 with a 31-0 win over Bloomsburg at Redman Stadium last Saturday. The Warriors’ defense allowed just 146 yards on 47 plays, while the offense compiled 279 rushing yards. ESU outgained Bloomsburg 446-146, limiting the Huskies to 3-of-10 on third-down conversions and 1-of-4 on fourth down. The Warriors also held Bloomsburg to their lowest yardage output since allowing 137 yards against Seton Hill in 2013. Click here for the full recap.
Cooking with Gas
Justin Cook continues to make his mark as one of the best kickoff returners in program history. Cook has returned three kickoffs for touchdowns, including a 99-yard score against Millersville this season. He also returned a 95-yard kickoff for a touchdown in last year’s NCAA playoffs and holds the program’s longest return with a 100-yard effort against Bloomsburg in 2022. Cook has 1,473 career kickoff return yards, ranking third all-time at ESU. He is 535 yards away from breaking the school record held by Chris Gerhard (2,008 yards, 1983-86).
ESU Career Kickoff Return Yards Leaders
| Rank | Yards | Name | Seasons |
|---|
| 1 | 2,008 | Chris Gerhard | 1983-86 |
| 2 | 1,873 | Mike Mancuso | 1994-97 |
| 3 | 1,473 | Justin Cook | 2022-pres. |
| 4 | 1,438 | Matt Kacanda | 1998-99 |
| 5 | 1,406 | Joe McLaughlin | 1985-88 |
Mr. Efficiency
In his first season as the full-time starting quarterback, Sean McTaggart has impressed, completing 61% of his passes with a 6-to-1 touchdown-to-interception ratio (12 TDs, 2 INTs). McTaggart leads an offense that ranks first in the PSAC in scoring (27.0 points per game) and ninth nationally in red zone efficiency (.913). ESU also ranks sixth in Division II for fewest turnovers lost (3). McTaggart is second in the PSAC and 16th nationally in passing efficiency (161.9) and is third in the league in passing touchdowns (12) and yards per completion (14.0).
TL2K
Tyriq Lewis is just 26 yards away from becoming the ninth player in ESU history to reach 2,000 career rushing yards. The Downingtown native, who leads the PSAC’s top rushing offense with 77.5 yards per game, ranks ninth all-time at ESU with 1,974 rushing yards. Lewis ranks second in the PSAC and 17th nationally with 6.55 yards per carry.
ESU All-Time Rushing Leaders
| Rank | Name | Yards | Seasons |
|---|
| 1 | Robert Healy | 3,993 | 2013-16 |
| 2 | Rick Sterner | 2,579 | 1988-92 |
| 3 | Andre Castiglioni | 2,510 | 1999-01 |
| 4 | Derek Lucas | 2,398 | 2002-05 |
| 5 | Toby Barkman | 2,363 | 1960-63 |
| 6 | Kendrick Williams | 2,177 | 2009-12 |
| 7 | Pete Radocha | 2,047 | 1974-76 |
| 8 | Harold Strunk | 2,030 | 1974-77 |
| 9 | Tyriq Lewis | 1,974 | 2021-pres. |
| 10 | Jaymar Anderson | 1,942 | 2016-18 |
Cobra Ty
Sophomore kicker Ty Quintois has seamlessly stepped into the role of full-time kicker, replacing former All-American Devin Bartholomew. Quintois leads the PSAC in scoring, having made 8 of 10 field goals and 24 of 25 extra-point attempts. He ranks 23rd in Division II in field goal percentage and leads the PSAC in field goals per game. With 48 points this season, Quintois averages 8.0 points per game, ranking 29th nationally.
Up Next
After facing West Chester, the Warriors will take on Lock Haven next Saturday at Eiler-Martin Stadium, with kickoff set for 12:05 p.m.
