Women's Soccer: WVU Defeats RCD Espanyol
March 30, 2012 06:28 PM | General
BARCELONA, Spain – Sophomore forward Frances Silva scored two goals to lead the West Virginia women’s soccer team past RCD Espanyol, 2-1, Friday evening in Barcelona.
“It’s always good to end the trip with a win and I thought we played pretty well tonight,” said coach Nikki Izzo-Brown. “I was pleased with our effort and execution, and I thought we adjusted well to their style of play.”
RCD Espanyol came out strong and earned the first shot of the match, forcing WVU goalkeeper Sara Keane to make a pair of saves in the first 15 minutes.
Silva put the Mountaineers on the board in the 28th minute on by sending a ball inside the near post after cutting a defender from the top of the box.
Trailing 1-0 at the half, the reigning Spanish Cup Champions tied the match in the 59th minute on a ball played over top the Mountaineer back line. A RCD forward slotted a ball on the ground past Keane to make it 1-1.
Silva netted the game-winner minutes later on a beautiful counter from the Mountaineers. Midfielder Nicolette DeLauretnis played a ball into the right corner where forward Kate Schwindel took one touch and drove a ball into the heart of the box. Silva went high in the air and headed home the game-winner from six yards out.
“Frances has been awesome this week and put home a brilliant goal to give us back the lead,” said Izzo-Brown.
Silva finished the week scoring all six goals in helping the Mountaineers to a 3-1 record during their international trip to Spain.
Keane came up with a big save in the second half on a lofted shot at the crossbar that she was able to punch back into play. Rookie Katie Osterman worked the final 27 minutes in goal, including two stops in the final five minutes to keep the score at 2-1.
“I thought Mallory Smith was very good tonight in leading the defense and Bry McCarthy was excellent at getting forward and helping create things offensively,” added Izzo-Brown.
West Virginia returns home on Sunday, April 1, to complete its nine-day trip to Madrid and Barcelona.
“It’s always good to end the trip with a win and I thought we played pretty well tonight,” said coach Nikki Izzo-Brown. “I was pleased with our effort and execution, and I thought we adjusted well to their style of play.”
RCD Espanyol came out strong and earned the first shot of the match, forcing WVU goalkeeper Sara Keane to make a pair of saves in the first 15 minutes.
Silva put the Mountaineers on the board in the 28th minute on by sending a ball inside the near post after cutting a defender from the top of the box.
Trailing 1-0 at the half, the reigning Spanish Cup Champions tied the match in the 59th minute on a ball played over top the Mountaineer back line. A RCD forward slotted a ball on the ground past Keane to make it 1-1.
Silva netted the game-winner minutes later on a beautiful counter from the Mountaineers. Midfielder Nicolette DeLauretnis played a ball into the right corner where forward Kate Schwindel took one touch and drove a ball into the heart of the box. Silva went high in the air and headed home the game-winner from six yards out.
“Frances has been awesome this week and put home a brilliant goal to give us back the lead,” said Izzo-Brown.
Silva finished the week scoring all six goals in helping the Mountaineers to a 3-1 record during their international trip to Spain.
Keane came up with a big save in the second half on a lofted shot at the crossbar that she was able to punch back into play. Rookie Katie Osterman worked the final 27 minutes in goal, including two stops in the final five minutes to keep the score at 2-1.
“I thought Mallory Smith was very good tonight in leading the defense and Bry McCarthy was excellent at getting forward and helping create things offensively,” added Izzo-Brown.
West Virginia returns home on Sunday, April 1, to complete its nine-day trip to Madrid and Barcelona.
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