BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – First-half goals from a pair of freshmen fueled the No. 10/12 West Virginia University women’s soccer team to a 2-0 win over SIUE this evening at Armstrong Stadium in Indiana’s Hoosier Classic.

 

The victory pushes the Mountaineers’ (1-0) program-record unbeaten streak to 20. WVU has not lost a match since a 2-0 defeat to No. 21 Duke on Aug. 29, 2014, at Dick Dlesk Soccer Stadium. 

 

“It’s huge for this team to come together collectively and get the win,” said Mountaineer coach Nikki Izzo-Brown. “Everyone contributed, and that’s largely due to their focus throughout preseason. We were able to break SIUE’s defensive shape. Everyone did her job tonight. We were patient with the ball and possessed it well.

 

“I’m proud of this team. They protected their family, played a full 90 minutes and got the win.”

 

Freshmen Nia Gordon and Hannah Abraham tallied the team’s scores this evening, with Gordon, a native of Ocklawaha, Florida, also earning the starting nod at forward. The pair are the first freshmen to score in a season opener since Chelsey Corroto did so in WVU’s 3-0 victory against Towson in Morgantown on Aug. 22, 2008.

 

“It was great to see our freshmen put the ball in the back of the net,” Izzo-Brown continued. “They contributed right off the bat for us, and I’m proud of Nia and Hannah. Their first career goals couldn’t have come at a better time.”

 

Today’s win is the Mountaineers’ first in a season opener since WVU earned a 3-0 victory against Towson in Morgantown on Aug. 22, 2008. WVU moves to 9-9-2 in all-time season openers.

 

Gordon got the Mountaineers on the board in the 20th minute, pouncing on a soft touch-pass from junior Ashley Lawrence at the top of the 18-yard box and beating the SIUE defenders with her speed before sending a low shot toward the far left post.

 

Abraham padded the team’s advantage in the 45th minute. Following an on-point pass from senior Leah Emaus inside the 18-yard box, the Fairchance, Pennsylvania, native sent a shot from 10-yards out past the outstretched hands of Cougar keeper Jennifer Pelley.

 

The Mountaineers’ solid backline ensured that WVU would walk away with a victory, allowing SIUE only two shots all evening, both in the second half, and denying the Cougars (0-1) a shot on-goal. Senior goalkeeper Hannah Steadman earned credit for the clean sheet, her 12th with the Mountaineers. WVU last denied an opponent a shot on-goal in a 2-0 win against Baylor on Oct. 31, 2014.

 

Lawrence nearly made it a three-goal game in the 57th minute, as she corralled a cross from Gordon at the top of the penalty box, but her shot skimmed the crossbar and went out of play.

 

Sophomore forward Kayla Saager made the most of her first chance with WVU, as she took a hard shot at the top of the 18-yard box, but Pelley was there for the catching save.

 

Pelley finished with two saves in the loss. WVU earned a 12-2 advantage in shots and a 3-1 edge in corner kicks. Sophomore forward Michaela Abam led all with three shots.

 

The Mountaineers close out play at the Hoosier Classic on Sunday, Aug. 23, against No. 11/13 Virginia Tech, with first kick set for noon.