FAIRMONT, W.Va. – Ava Behr, a senior from Sidney, Ohio, buried her first collegiate goal on a penalty kick in the 47^th minute to give the Fairmont State (2-1, 1-0 Mountain East Conference) women's soccer team a win in the team's conference opener versus West Liberty (0-2-1, 0-1 MEC) on Sunday (Sept. 10) afternoon at Duvall-Rosier Field.
 
"I am pretty confident from the [penalty kick] spot," said Behr. "My teammates and coaches feel good about me stepping up to take a PK. I knew in this game we needed a goal to shift the momentum. I tried to remain calm and collected, and I placed the kick well."
 
The Falcons outshot the Hilltoppers 19-3 in the game. Fairmont State applied the pressure early in the first half when Alejandra Puerto fired a shot that hit the top of the crossbar in the second minute of play. Kylee Kosek delivered the first Fairmont State shot on goal in the 18^th minute, which was saved by WLU goaltender Zara Wickert. Kosek aimed another shot on target in the 21^st minute. Fairmont State goalkeeper Olivia Johnston made her first save of the game in the 23^rd minute after snagging a shot by WLU attacker Maya Taggart. The teams remained in a stalemate at the end of the first half with a scoreless tie.
 
In the 47^th minute, Serenity Thomas drew a foul in the box that set up a penalty kick opportunity for the Falcons. Kernell Borneo called upon Behr to take the penalty shot for Fairmont State. The senior fired a strike into the net past the 'keeper for her first collegiate goal to get the Falcons on the scoreboard. Johnston stepped up with another save in the 53^rd minute to keep the 'Toppers off the board. Thomas tallied a pair of shots on target in the 57^th minute that kept the offensive attack strong for the Falcons. Lauren Dye and Thomas both added shots on goal in the 62^nd and 63^rd minutes. Freshman Isabella Maldonado blasted a shot that was saved on a set piece in the 73^rd minute. The Fairmont State defense controlled the pace and denied WLU shot opportunities in the final 37 minutes of the game. Johnston and the Falcons' defense recorded their second-consecutive clean sheet and shut out the Hilltoppers. The Falcons drained out the clock and collected a win in the conference opener.
 
Fairmont State women's soccer will travel to Wheeling on Wednesday (Sept. 13) for a match versus the Cardinals at 4 p.m.