WEST CHESTER, Pa. — Seventh-seeded West Virginia State saw its season come to a close Thursday afternoon in the NCAA Atlantic Regional First Round, falling 5–2 to No. 2 seed and regional host West Chester. The Yellow Jackets finished the year 15–5–1, marking their third NCAA appearance in the last four seasons and another benchmark campaign for the young program.

West Chester's attacking trio proved the difference, led by Kianna Barber's hat trick and a brace from Victoria Pungello. The Golden Rams outshot WVSU 25–15, including a 16–6 margin in the first half as they built a 3–2 advantage at the break.

State answered every early punch with resilience. Laura Pouedras delivered the first equalizer in the 19th minute on a clean assist from Maria Alejandra Hernández Diaz, and Sharon Freire Omonigho brought the match level again at 2–2 with an unassisted strike in the 30th minute. But West Chester regained the lead in the 42nd minute on Pungello's first goal and carried that momentum into halftime.

The Golden Rams added goals in the 46th and 77th minutes to pull away. Poppy Bastock finished with eight saves while managing a heavy West Chester attack in her final collegiate appearance.

Despite the result, West Virginia State closes the season as one of the Atlantic Region's most consistent programs, earning 15 wins, a 13–1–1 MEC record, and another postseason berth in a year defined by top-to-bottom growth.