WEST CHESTER, Pa. -- West Virginia State’s women’s soccer team kept pace with West Chester in a high-scoring NCAA Division II tournament opener through 33 minutes on Friday.

But the Golden Rams were just getting warmed up, and the Yellow Jackets petered out.

Host West Chester scored the final three goals of a 5-2 victory at Rockwell Field to advance in NCAA tournament play.

Kianna Barber scored twice in the first 26 minutes for the Golden Rams, but West Virginia State had an answer for each. Laura Pouedras tallied at the 19-minute mark, and Sharon Freire Omonigho equalized again in the 33rd.

Victoria Pungello countered for West Chester nine minutes later for a 3-2 lead at intermission.

Pungello and Barber each added one more goal in the second half, giving Barber a hat trick.

Poppy B

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