CINCINNATI, Ohio – Using a pair of second-half goals, the West Virginia University women's soccer team earned a 2-1 win over Cincinnati inside Gettler Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio, Thursday night.
 
Opening Big 12 Conference play against the Bearcats, the Mountaineers (5-2-1, 1-0 Big 12) scored a pair of back-to-back, second-half goals in the 47th and 52nd minutes to earn the victory. Junior forward and Cincinnati native Taylor White broke through for West Virginia with the first goal, while fifth-year senior midfielder AJ Rodriguez scored the second and eventual game winner.
 
After finishing the first half scoreless, despite nine combined shots between the two teams, West Virginia put a tally on the board at the 46:46 mark. Playing in front of her home crowd, White scored her fourth goal of the year after receiving a high ball in the box from classmate Ajanae Respass. Fifth-year senior midfielder Lilly McCarthy also was credited with an assist on the score, taking the corner that served the ball in to Respass.
 
Not five minutes later, Rodriguez doubled the lead at 51:34 after a deflected save from UC keeper Anna Rexford found McCarthy in the box. She sent a quick ball into the box, and Rodriguez flicked it on frame for the score. The two-assist performance was the first of McCarthy's career, while Rodriguez's game winner was her first since Aug. 20, 2023.
 
From there, the Mountaineer defense worked hard to save the shutout, but Cincinnati was able to draw one closer in 77th minute. However, the back line stiffened to prevent the equalizer as WVU earned the conference opener victory.
 
In the final box score, UC outshot West Virginia, 13-8, including 6-3 in shots on goal. The Mountaineers took six corners in the match compared to just one for the Bearcats. Redshirt sophomore goalkeeper Mackenzie Smith was solid in goal, making a career-best five saves on the night. West Virginia now moves to 3-0-1 in the series against Cincinnati, as well as 10-1-2 in Big 12 openers all-time.
 
After a week off, WVU returns to Morgantown for its Big 12 Conference home opener against Kansas State on Thursday, Sept. 19. Kickoff at Dick Dlesk Soccer Stadium is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET. It's Throwback Thursday, and a special rally towel will be given out to fans at the match.
 
For more information on the Mountaineers, follow @WVUWomensSoccer on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.