Women's Soccer: Advances To NCAA Round Of 16
November 18, 2007 03:50 PM | General
By Christopher Marshall for MSNsportsNET.com
November 18, 2007
BOX SCORE | PHOTO GALLERY
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – Senior Ashley Banks and junior Deana Everrett each scored second half goals to power fourth-seeded West Virginia to a 2-0 victory over James Madison in NCAA second round action Sunday afternoon at Dick Dlesk Soccer Stadium. With the win, the Mountaineers advance to the round of 16 for the second time in school history.
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| Deana Everrett scored one of West Virginia's two goals Sunday in the Mountaineers' 2-0 victory over James Madison.
Dale Sparks/All-Pro Photography |
West Virginia (17-4-2) created a bevy of chances in the first half, outshooting James Madison (17-5-1) 13-4 in the opening 45 minutes of play. The best scoring opportunity came in the 26th minute when senior forward Kim Bonilla crossed a ball to the far post and Banks’ header was deflected away on a kick-save by Dukes goalkeeper Stephanie Poucher.
JMU had a fine opportunity of its own in the half just two minutes later when midfielder Teresa Rynier’s shot from just outside the box hit off the crossbar.
The Mountaineers broke the draw in the 76th minute when Banks bent in a corner kick off the far post. The ball struck the post and ricocheted down into the net to give WVU a 1-0 lead.
The Gold and Blue put the game away just 28 seconds later when Everrett received a beautiful pass from sophomore midfielder Carolyn Blank and beat Poucher from 16 yards out.
West Virginia outshot JMU 24-6 and held a 7-3 advantage on corner kicks in the match.
The shutout was the 12th of the season for WVU, one shy of the school record of 13 set last season.
“This back line plays so well together. You can’t pick out one player that is better than the other,” Izzo-Brown said. “Collectively they play great defense and they are very determined to eliminate opportunities.”
The 17 wins by West Virginia this year ties the 2003 team for second-most wins in a season. The school record for wins in a season is 18 set in 2002.
West Virginia awaits the winner of top-seed Penn State and Hofstra whose game was postponed today because of snow in University Park, Pa. The game has been rescheduled for Monday, Nov. 19, at 7 p.m., at Bigler Field.
“At this point it really doesn’t matter but think we would rather have Hofstra. I think Alyssa Naeher in goal for Penn State is pretty tough,” Izzo-Brown said. “She is one of the best goalies we will see. Either way though I’m confident in my team’s ability to get the result we need.”
