Super Sunday!
September 14, 2003 04:17 PM | General
September 14, 2003
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. - With two goals from All-American forward Chrissie Abbott, the No. 8 West Virginia University women’s soccer team (5-1-0) outlasted St. John’s (1-5-0) 3-2 at the Mountaineer Soccer Complex on Sunday afternoon.
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| Chrissie Abbott scored two goals Sunday to become WVU's all-time leading goal scorer. (All-Pro Photography/Dale Sparks) |
Once again the Mountaineers struck early as freshman Nicole Cauzillo scored her first career goal just 4:18 seconds into the match. Then thirty seconds before the end of the first half, Abbott, a North Olmsted, Ohio, native scored off an assist from Lisa Stoia for her 46th career goal. With the goal, the Herman Trophy nominee became West Virginia’s all-time goals scored leader.
“I'm so glad that I was here to experience it," said WVU head coach Nikki Izzo-Brown of Abbott's record-setting score. "It couldn't have happened to a better player, person or leader. It's going to hard record to break because Abbott is such an excellent player.”
It was St. John’s however, who opened the scoring in the second half, netting a goal at the 48:03 mark when Holly Ryder scored on a penalty kick. The Red Storm would strike again, tying the game 2-2 when Kaitlin Schmidt took a pass from Holly Ryder and beat West Virginia goalkeeper Lana Bannerman with her shot.
With just five and half minutes remaining in the contest, Abbott completed the match scoring when she headed a cross from defender Jenn Lewis past St. John’s goalkeeper Gabriela Franco for the game-winner.
Despite allowing two goals, the Mountaineer defense once again remained solid, allowing St. John’s only six shots on the afternoon and giving up no corner kicks.
“I think it showed the character of our team to come out and put this game away," said Izzo-Brown. "St. John's record did not reflect the talent of this team and I am so proud of the fact that our girls finished this match.”
With the win, West Virginia extends its season win-streak to five matches while also advancing its regular season home match unbeaten-streak to 13.
The Mountaineers return to action on Friday, Sept. 19, when they travel to Storrs, Conn., for a BIG EAST cross-divisional match with Connecticut.
West Virginia 3, St. John’s 2
Scoring: WVU-Cauzillo (Kanela) 4:18; WVU-Abbott (Stoia) 44:32; SJU-Ryder (PK) 48:03; SJU-Schmidt (Ryder); WVU-Abbott (Lewis)
Shots: WVU-24; SJU-6
Corners: WVU-9; SJU-9
Fouls: WVU-8; SJU-12
Goalkeeping: WVU- Lana Bannerman 2 saves, 2GA, 90:00; SJU- Tracy Rollings 3 saves, 2 GA 45:00; SJU-Gabriela Franco 3 saves, 1 GA, 45:00
