Waynesburg Soccer
The Waynesburg University women’s soccer team started the season with two out-of-conference, comeback wins.
Waynesburg, coming off one of their best seasons in over a decade, has high expectations for 2024. Head Coach George DeAugustino, was direct on what the team wants to accomplish this season.
“We are a team expecting to be in the top 6 of the PAC standings and making the conference tournament,” DeAugustino said. “We want to make sure we are competing for a title and putting ourselves to be successful.”
The team’s first win came in their season opener on Friday, August 30 at Mount Union. With a 2-1 final, it was the first time in program history the women’s team beat the Purple Raiders.
Waynesburg was trailing 1-0 at halftime despite leading in shots.
Two Yellow Jacket sophomores led the charge in the second half. In the 67th minute, Waynesburg Athlete of The Week Hailey Gilchrest scored the game-tying goal. Then, in the final minutes of the game, Waverly Lorne scored the game-winning goal.
Hailey Gilchrest echoed her head coach’s words on the team’s goals in 2024, and added a couple personal goals as well.
“My main goal is to go to the PAC playoffs and be in the top 4. A specific goal of mine is beating Washington and Jefferson. I scored in overtime against them last year, and my goal is to beat them before we get to overtime. Our goals as a team are to continue to keep a positive environment and make the playoffs. This team has already done things that other years have not, and we are excited to cause more chaos this season,” Gilchrest stated.
Last Wednesday, following the game against Mount Union, Waynesburg was on the road again to play La Roche and won by the same score, 2-1. La Roche led 1-0 after scoring in the 48th minute, although it did not take Waynesburg long to respond. Madey Hill tied the game in the 71st minute with a goal assisted by Sutton Clark. Hailey Gilchrest found the back of the net for a second straight game in the 78th minute to give Waynesburg a 2-1 lead, which they held onto for the rest of the game.
“I was super excited, I immediately ran to Julz and jumped into her arms for a hug,” Gilchrest said of her emotions after the game. “It feels like a reward for all the hard work me, and the team have put in at every practice and game, to put the ball away and win the game.”
Gilchrest also highlighted the boost it gave the team to start with two exciting wins.
“It gives us so much confidence to be 2-0. We use this analogy of an energy bus for our team. Positive energy drives the bus, we have been bringing high energy and with two wins under our belt our confidence is very high, especially with PAC play starting soon.”
DeAugustino lauded Gilchrest for her recognition and her performance in the early part of the season.
“She is playing really good soccer right now. She is finding the back of the net. She had a great end of her freshman year, so Hailey has done a great job of continuing that path and scoring goals. It has been awesome to see her grow.”
Waynesburg was supposed to play their home opener on Saturday, September 7, but the game was postponed.
The Waynesburg University women’s soccer team will take their 2-0 record into their home opener today versus Pitt-Greensburg. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. in John F. Wiley Stadium.