On Thursday, the West Chester University community experienced the highs and lows that are a biproduct of sports, as its two teams that were competing in the national semifinals of their respective sports earned a split in the same city.

The top-ranked field hockey team lost, 4-0, to Shippensburg in the Final Four of the NCAA Division II Tournament at Arthur J. Rooney Field in Pittsburgh. What made the outcome especially difficult to digest was the fact that the Golden Rams had already defeated the Raiders twice this fall, once in the regular season and again less than two weeks ago in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference championship game.

“Today was just not our day,” said WCU coach Amy Cohen said. “Unfortunately, we just didn’t play the same aggressive style we have played all year.”

Shippensburg senior goalkeeper Ally Mooney, a Spring City native and Owen J. Roberts graduate, kept the Golden Rams off the scoreboard, recording the 23rd shutout of her career.

“It was one heckuva ride,” said WCU captain Taylor Bracale. “Certainly not the way we wanted it to end. But we had a great season.”

Not long after the field hockey team’s loss, the men’s soccer team earned a berth in the national championship game with a 2-1 overtime victory over Cal Poly Pomona at Highmark Stadium in Pittsburgh.

With the Golden Rams trailing 1-0, Chadds Ford native Eric Greer tallied the first goal of his college career in the 61st minute to even up the score. Then, in the extra session, Philadelphia native Jason Pixley found the back of the net for the game-winner.

“I am really proud of our guys and how they continued to fight throughout the game,” said WCU coach Michael Benn. “Cal Poly Pomona is a very good team. But we never buckled, and despite facing a lot of adversity, we just kept battling and came out on top.”

WCU (16-2-5) will now face Barry University from Miami Shores, Fla., with the NCAA Division II title at stake on Saturday at noon at Highmark Stadium.

Click here to watch the game live.