No. 13 Women's Soccer Cruises to Win
September 19, 2014 10:07 PM | General
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – The No. 13 West Virginia University women’s soccer team made easy work of a visiting La Salle squad this evening, as the Mountaineers defeated the Explorers 4-1 at Dick Dlesk Soccer Stadium.
WVU’s four-goal output was its second in as many games, and its third in three weeks. All four of the team’s scores came in the first half, matching its first half, four-goal effort in a 4-0 win over Hofstra on Sept. 5.
“We’ve been creating so many chances this year, so to come out on a Friday night and finish was huge for our confidence going into Sunday’s match,” said Mountaineer coach Nikki Izzo-Brown. “Scoring is such a mental piece as we move forward, but we’re going to take this season one game at a time. Now, our focus turns to Villanova Sunday, and they’re going to be a tough opponent.”
The Mountaineers (6-2-1) finished with a season-high 16 shots on-goal, the team’s best single-game output since at least 2009. WVU outshot the Explorers (3-3-2) 25-6 and also earned a 5-2 edge on corner kicks.
“We moved the ball well and really matched up well tonight, giving us the physical piece we needed,” said Izzo-Brown. “We’re never satisfied, but I was glad a lot of those opportunities were finished.”
Junior midfielder Leah Emaus made good on her two shots this evening, finishing both chances and pushing her season goal total to a team-best four. The Webster, New York, native’s two-goal performance was the first of her career and the second for a Mountaineer this season, as senior forward Kate Schwindel netted two in the team’s win over Missouri on Aug. 24.
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| Junior midfielder Leah Emaus netted back-to-back first-half goals for the first two-goal performance of her career. | |
| All-Pro Photography/Dale Sparks Photo |
“Leah’s role is critical for us right now, so it was great for her to be on the end of two goals tonight,” Izzo-Brown said. “You’re either creating chances, or you’re finishing them, and that’s what she did for us.”
Junior Hannah Steadman earned her sixth win in goal, as she finished with three saves, her best showing since making three against No. 21 Duke on Aug. 29.
La Salle’s Jessica Wiggins suffered the loss, making five first-half saves. Larisa Zambelli replaced Wiggins at the start of the second half and finished with six saves in 45 minutes of action.
Junior forward Kailey Utley’s opened WVU’s scoring in the 13th minute on her second goal of the season. The St. Louis, Missouri, native, received a perfectly placed ball from sophomore midfielder Ashley Lawrence mid-run, and after two more steps, sent a low shot from 15-yards out that went far right post. The assist was the first of the season for Lawrence.
The Mountaineers’ second goal followed 17 minutes later, a nice individual effort by freshman forward Amandine Pierre-Louis for her first career score. The Montreal, Quebec, native took the ball over midfield and lofted a shot from 25-yards out that floated over Wiggins’ head and went near right corner.
Emaus adder her first of two goals in the 33rd minute, connecting on a cross from Lawrence inside the goal box. Wiggins attempted to make a play on Lawrence’s ball, but she misplayed it and pushed it right to Emaus’ feet for the easy finish.
The Explorers got in the scoring mix in the 41st minute off a goal from senior forward Kelsey Haycook, the reigning Atlantic 10 Player of the Week. Kristin Haugstad sent the ball over Steadman’s head after she came out of the box to make a play, and Haycook took advantage, scoring on an open net.
Emaus pushed the Mountaineers’ lead back to three goals in the 44th minute with her second score of the evening. Wiggins stayed on her line despite a nicely placed ball by freshman forward Toryn Broadwater, allowing Emaus to chip her shot over Wiggins’ arms near post from two-yards out. The assist was the first career point for Broadwater.
Though the Mountaineers registered six shots on-goal in the second half, the team could not generate another score.
WVU’s best chance came in the 79th minute, as Broadwater nearly added her first career goal, too. Positioned inside the goal box, she turned with the ball and took a direct shot that was punched out by Zambelli at the last second.
Tonight’s win avenged the Mountaineers’ 2-1 loss to the Explorers in their 2012 season opener, the teams’ first meeting.
The Mountaineers close out their eight-match homestand on Sunday, Sept. 21, against Villanova at 1 p.m. It is a “Dollar Day,” with all tickets, hot dogs, popcorn and Coca-Colas available for $1 each. Additionally, a postgame clinic is scheduled, with kids 13 and under who attend the match are invited to a free clinic at Dreamswork Field following the competition. Also, the match is “Camper Reunion Day,” and all women’s soccer campers from this past summer are asked to wear their camp t-shirt to the game.
A free WVU shuttle bus will be available from the Mountainlair and the Brooke/Braxton Towers loop for an hour leading up to Sunday’s start time. Return service to the Mountainlair and the Brooke/Braxton Towers loop also will be available for an hour at the conclusion of the match.
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