Late goal lifts West Chester into NCAA Division II quarterfinals

West Chester lifted the trophy as NCAA Division II Atlantic Region champions on Sunday afternoon, avenging a loss in the PSAC semifinals with a 1-0 win at Shepherd thanks to a late goal from Kianna Barber.

With the win the Golden Rams will return home on Saturday to host Franklin Pierce with a trip to the national semifinals in Matthews, N.C. on the line. West Chester last made the national semis with a win over Franklin Pierce in 2022.

Their Atlantic Region title won on Sunday was the eighth in program history and seventh under head coach Betty Ann Kempf Townsley.

Grace Keen made five saves on the day and Barber had the tap-in goal in the 85th minute off a shot from Kate Alexander that was initially tipped off the crossbar by the Shepherd keeper. The goal was the team-leading 13th of the season for Barber, a sophomore from Browns Mills, N.J.

Sunday’s game was the fourth meeting between the PSAC rivals this season. The teams tied both of their regular season games and Shepherd knocked off West Chester on their home field 3-0 in the PSAC semifinal on November 14.

Saturday’s game at Rockwell Field is slated for a 1 p.m. kickoff. The match will be streamed live on NCAA.com.

West Chester University is moving on to the NCAA Division II quarterfinals after a 1-0 win over PSAC rivals Shepherd. Kiana Barber scored the lone goal in the 85th minute off a shot by Kate Alexander that was tipped off the post. pic.twitter.com/QATdwtjmqm

— Philadelphia Soccer Now (@phlsoccernow) November 30, 2025