AMES, Iowa – A pressing attack and a stout defensive effort was the winning combination for the No. 13-ranked West Virginia University women’s soccer team tonight, as the Mountaineers earned a 3-0 victory over Iowa State at the Cyclone Sports Complex.
The win pushes the Mountaineers’ unbeaten streak to 11 matches and gives the team its 15th consecutive 10-win season.
The shutout is the squad’s third in Big 12 play and seventh of the season. Junior Hannah Steadman made one save tonight. WVU has held ISU scoreless in consecutive games. ISU’s Andrea Swanson finished with three saves.
Despite cold, swirling winds, the Mountaineers (10-2-2, 3-0-1) pressed on and finished with 23 shots, 14 in the first half, and nine corner kicks. The WVU defense swarmed the Cyclones (6-9, 0-5) and held ISU to two shots, one each half. The Mountaineers did not allow a corner kick for the first time this season.
“We really wanted to make sure we were taking care of both sides of the ball and putting pressure on Iowa State,” said Mountaineer coach Nikki Izzo-Brown. “I thought the girls did a great job of keeping their focus for the shutout, but also putting three on the board. We wanted to take care of the ball and keep it on the turf, and I think the team did a great job of that. We really took care of the ball and retained possession – that was important tonight.
“I thought our center backs were great and really did a good job of denying any kind of dangerous scoring opportunity.”
Following a scoreless first half, WVU’s persistence paid off early in the second half, as senior forward Kate Schwindel connected on the team’s 15th shot in the 50th minute for her fourth goal of the season, first in Big 12 play. The Livingston, N.J., native settled a through ball from sophomore midfielder Ashley Lawrence near the 12-yard line and sent a bending shot around Swanson and toward the far right post.
“That big goal was critical for us, and it was great that it came from our senior leader,” Izzo-Brown explained. “It was huge, for us and for Kate.”
Freshman forward Michaela Abam added to the team’s advantage in the 72nd minute with her team-best fifth goal of the season, finishing an easy chip shot right in front of Swanson. The Houston native was in the perfect position for a ball from junior forward Kailey Utley; Utley’s helper was her team-best fifth of the year.
Buzzing all evening, junior midfielder Amanda Hill iced the game in the 88th minute, connecting on her game-best fourth shot of the night off nice one-two play with freshman midfielder Carla Portillo. Portillo fed a ball to Hill inside the box, and after a dribble, she directed it over Swanson’s shoulder and toward the right post for her second score of the season.
“Amanda created that goal for herself,” Izzo-Brown said. “It was great to see her get on the board tonight.”
Lawrence nearly set up the Mountaineers’ second goal in the 61st minute, as she took the ball into the box and drew Swanson off her line. Her immediate cross found a waiting Kelsie Maloney near the right post, but her chip shot went just right of the net.
ISU’s lone shot on-goal came in the 68th minute on a long, lofting shot from midfielder Alyssa Williamson, but Steadman stood her ground and came up with the easy save.
The Mountaineers had their chances in the first half, finishing with 14 shots and seven corner kicks.
Hill had two shots on-frame in the first 45, but her best chance may have been on a shot that just skimmed the crossbar. Lawrence set-up the opportunity, hitting Hill in-stride about 22-yards out, but her shot went high.
With the win, WVU improves to 3-0 all-time against ISU.
The Mountaineers close out their Big 12 road slate at No. 9 Kansas on Sunday, with kick from Rock Chalk Park set for 2 p.m. ET. The match will be broadcast on ESPN3. KU fell 1-0 to No. 19 Texas Tech this evening in Lawrence.
“Sunday is a huge game for us,” Izzo-Brown finished. “Everyone is seeking points right now, and that’s what we need to get from Kansas.”
