FAIRMONT, W.Va. — The 21st-ranked Fairmont State women's soccer team (13-0-2, 11-0-2) defeated Wheeling University (1-12-2, 1-10-2) 5-1 on Sunday at Duvall-Rosier Field. The Falcons scored three times in the first half and added two more goals after halftime while holding the Cardinals scoreless in the second half.
The Falcons turned a 1-0 deficit into a 3-1 halftime lead, getting first-half goals from
Sam Yuen,
Payton Parliament and
Stephanie Pedias. The Falcons opened the match with sustained pressure, taking multiple shots in the first 18 minutes, forcing saves on attempts by
Serenity Thomas and Yuen, and earning corner kicks at 10:12 and 16:59 before the Cardinals broke through on Theresa Markwei's goal at 22:26.
Yuen answered at 27:52 to tie the match, and the Falcons stayed on the attack with an
Arrington Sparks shot saved before Sparks assisted Parliament's goal at 31:21 for a 2-1 lead.
Maria Day forced another save in the 37th minute, and after a late corner, Pedias scored off
Braylyn Sparks' assist at 42:15 to send the Falcons into halftime ahead 3-1.
The Falcons added two second-half goals and kept the Cardinals off the scoreboard after halftime to finish a 5-1 win.
Braylyn Sparks scored at 49:32 off
Ava Yannucci's assist to make it 4-1, and the Falcons followed with corner kicks at 50:31 and 53:17 before
Valentina Gianinetto put a shot wide left.
The Falcons continued to create chances midway through the half, including saved attempts by
Addison Castaneda and Gianinetto, before Thomas scored from
Colletta Hardman at 74:53 for a 5-1 lead. The Cardinals generated three shots after Thomas' goal, but
Lianna Albert saved a bottom-left attempt at 80:30, and the Falcons closed the half with
Maria Day's late shot wide right before the final whistle.
Braylyn Sparks scored and added an assist, finishing with three points on two shots. Parliament recorded the game-winning goal on two shots. Gianinetto led the Falcons with five shots and put two on goal. Yuen scored on two shots, both on frame. The Falcons finished with a 23-4 advantage in shots, including a 13-2 edge in shots on goal.
Fairmont State will host Davis & Elkins College on Wednesday, October 21 for the final home match of the regular season. Start time is set for 7:00 p.m.
