Cicchini Header Lifts WVU
September 11, 2008 10:50 PM | General
By Tim Goodenow for MSNsportsNET.com
September 11, 2008
BOX SCORE | PHOTO GALLERY
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. - Senior Amanda Cicchini’s header in the 27th minute propelled 14th-ranked West Virginia past Kentucky, 1-0, Thursday evening in front of 1,137 fans at Dick Dlesk Soccer Stadium.
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| Greer Barnes pushes the ball up the field for West Virginia during Thursday night's match against Kentucky.
All-Pro Photography/Dale Sparks photo |
Sophomore Megan Mischler broke through the Wildcat defense midway through the first half, forcing a takedown just outside the box on the right flank. Senior Kelsey Fowler took the free kick and placed a ball in front of the net where the 5-foot-2 Cicchini headed the ball low to the ground, and through the UK goalkeeper’s hands.
“You’ve got to force mistakes,” said Head Coach Nikki Izzo-Brown. “Amanda hit the ball perfectly. It was a perfect ball and a sort of a tough one for the goalkeeper to make. Amanda forced the defense to react and without her effort in the air, there is no score.”
The goal was the first of the season for the All-American midfielder and eighth of her Mountaineer career. Her last goal was also the result of a header, the final goal in a 3-1 win at Pitt last season.
“She was terrific tonight,” said Izzo-Brown of Cicchini, a Hermann Trophy candidate. “She does so many things a normal fan can’t see during a game. Her scoring tonight is just a result of her playing hard and being a great soccer player.”
Mischler was able to break down the Kentucky back line several times, including a near goal in the 17th minute. The speedy forward received a pass over the top from Cicchini and worked her way around a pair of UK defenders before sending a shot wide of the near post. Mischler finished with a career-high six shots on the night.
The West Virginia defense was solid again, holding Kentucky to four shot attempts. WVU goalkeeper Kerri Butler worked all 90 minutes in goal, making two saves in her fourth shutout of the season.
“I thought Kerri played really solid for us tonight,” said Izzo-Brown. “She came up big off her line at times, and communicated well with our defense.”
Kentucky’s best scoring chance came midway through the first half on a blistering shot by forward Laura Novikoff. Midfielder Rachel Ulrich placed a ball into the left side of the box where Novikoff's attempt forced Butler to make a diving save to her left.
WVU out-shot Kentucky 15-4 and took one more corner kick, 4-3, than the Wildcats.
“The crowd was fantastic tonight,” added Izzo-Brown. “They created a great atmosphere to play soccer in. Thank you."
Sixteen different Mountaineers saw action tonight, including career-high minutes played from senior Stephanie Burgess (39) and redshirt freshman Erica Henderson (51).
The Mountaineers improve to 4-1-1 on the season, while Kentucky dips to 1-4-0. West Virginia is now 6-1-0 all-time against SEC opponents.
West Virginia returns to action Sunday, Sept. 14, for a home match against regional foe James Madison. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m.
