MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – The West Virginia University women's soccer team opened the 2024 campaign with a 2-0 win over Delaware inside Dick Dlesk Soccer Stadium on Thursday night.
 
Kicking off the 2024-25 WVU Athletics season, West Virginia (1-0) used tallies from junior forward Ajanae Respass and fifth-year senior Lilly McCarthy to earn the win. Respass, who was playing in her first match for the Mountaineers after transferring to WVU from Oregon in January, was credited with the game-winning strike on her first West Virginia score.
 
On a well-placed free kick from senior defender Annika Leslie, Respass found herself open in the box and was able to head the ball into the net for the score in the 12th minute. Although the Mountaineers added four more shots after Respass' tally, they kept the 1-0 lead at halftime.
 
Out of the half, WVU saw a few more good chances, but ultimately was able to double its lead after a foul in the box was whistled on the Blue Hens. McCarthy took the PK opportunity, slotting it past Delaware keeper Kyla Burns to help lift West Virginia to the 2-0, season-opening victory.
 
In the final box score, WVU led the way in every category, including a 14-3 lead in shots. The Mountaineer defense held Delaware to zero corner kicks and just two shots on goal, while West Virginia notched six corners and placed seven of its 14 shots on frame.
 
Thursday's match marked the first ever between West Virginia and Delaware, with the Mountaineers moving to 1-0 over the Blue Hens. The win also improved WVU's mark over first-time opponents to 7-3-2 over the last six years. Additionally, West Virginia opened the season with a win for the fourth time in the last six seasons.
 
Of note, eight Mountaineers earned their first career game action for West Virginia against Delaware, including three who secured their first career starts. Respass, redshirt sophomore Roxanne Vilian and redshirt freshman Gianna Koss earned their first starting nod, while fifth-year senior Hannah Stuck, redshirt freshman Sydney Ritter and freshmen Emily Akpebu, Maddie Levy and Alicia Riggins saw the pitch for the first time in gold and blue.
 
Up next, the Mountaineers conclude their season-opening homestand when they welcome Radford to Morgantown on Sunday, Aug. 18. Pups on the Pitch returns to Dick Dlesk Soccer Stadium, and the first 150 dogs in attendance will receive a special collapsible water bowl. All dogs will be allowed entry into the game with a signed waiver and proof of vaccination records. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. ET.

For more information on the Mountaineers, follow @WVUWomensSoccer on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.