ATHENS, W.Va. — The 21st-ranked Fairmont State women's soccer team (11-0-2, 9-0-2) defeated Concord University (3-8-2, 3-6-2) 2-1 on Sunday at Callaghan Stadium. The Falcons put six of their 10 shots on goal, and their goalkeeper made five saves as the Mountain Lions finished with 16 shots.
Payton Parliament broke through at 43:01, scoring to give the Falcons a 1-0 lead that held to halftime. At the onset of the half, the Falcons generated a quick attacking spell off a 12:36 corner, with
Agnes Bjork forcing a team save and
Sam Yuen hitting the left woodwork seconds later.
Olivia Johnston kept the Mountain Lions off the board with four saves, including stops in the 14th, 19th, 41st and 45th minutes as the Mountain Lions finished the half with eight shots and four corners. The half also included a physical stretch late, with multiple fouls before the Falcons carried the 1-0 advantage into the break.
Valentina Gianinetto gave the Falcons the key second-half breakthrough at 59:06, scoring to put the visitors ahead 2-0 after her shot at the same timestamp was saved. The Mountain Lions pushed back with a stretch of pressure, but Johnston made a save at 68:54, and the Falcons also withstood a corner and multiple shots while keeping the score at 2-0.
The Falcons answered with their own attacking spell, taking shots from Parliament, Gianinetto and
Rania Hazri around two corner kicks between 73:32 and 74:23. The Mountain Lions cut the margin to 2-1 on Molly Watters' goal at 77:35, but the Falcons generated a late corner and a
Serenity Thomas shot on goal before seeing out the 2-1 final.
Gianinetto scored an unassisted game-winning goal and put all three of her shots on goal. Parliament added an unassisted goal on two shots. Johnston recorded five saves while playing all 90 minutes in goal.
Fairmont State remains on the road on Wednesday, October 14 at Point Park University. Game time from F.N.B Stadium is set for 7:30 p.m.
