Mountaineers survive Army Sunday afternoon
WEST POINT, N.Y. – The No. 7-ranked West Virginia University women’s soccer team secured a 2-1 win over Army inside Malek Stadium at Clinton Field in West Point, New York, on Sunday afternoon.
It was a defensive battle for most of the match, with West Virginia’s first goal not coming until the 66th minute. The Black Knights responded just two minutes later, but redshirt senior forward Saige Wimes was the hero in the final five minutes to secure the win for the Mountaineers. With the victory, West Virginia improved to 4-0, marking its best start since 2006 when it started the season 7-0.
The Mountaineers fired nine shots in the first half but couldn’t find a breakthrough for a 0-0 score at halftime. Out of the break, it seemed like more of the same for West Virginia, as it created several chances in the second frame but still couldn’t score. Finally, at the 67:40 mark, senior forward Abbey Olexa scored a left-footed goal after a well-serviced ball came into the box from junior forward/defender Sophia Nickel. The score marked Olexa’s first of the season, while Nickel also has notched a point in each game this season.
However, the lead didn’t last long, as the Black Knights leveled the scoreline just two minutes later. From there, each team was desperate for the go-ahead, but it was ultimately West Virginia who came out on top after redshirt senior forward Saige Wimes tallied her first goal as a Mountaineer in the 86th minute. After redshirt junior defender Gianna Koss’ shot was blocked, Wimes got on top of the rebound to score the late game-winning goal.
WVU dominated the final box score, outshooting Army 20-13, including 8-3 in shots on goal. West Virginia earned nine corner kicks in the match, compared to just three for the Black Knights. Olexa led the offense with the goal and four shots, as 10 different Mountaineers tallied at least one shot in the contest. With the win, WVU moves to 2-0 all-time against Army.
Up next, the Mountaineers return home to host in-state rival Marshall on Sunday, Sept. 6. Kickoff at Dick Dlesk Soccer Stadium in Morgantown is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET. It’s West Virginia’s annual Alumni Game, and the squad will welcome more than 50 alumni back to Morgantown to help celebrate the program’s 30-year anniversary. The match also is a Gold Rush, and all fans are encouraged to wear gold.
For more information on the Mountaineers, follow @WVUWomensSoccer on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
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