FAIRMONT, W.Va. — The 19th-ranked Fairmont State women's soccer team (15-1-3) defeated West Virginia Wesleyan (7-9-3) 2-1 on Sunday at Duvall-Rosier Field in the quarterfinals of the Mountain East Conference Championship. The Falcons finished with advantages of 23-13 in shots and 13-5 in shots on goal, while their goalkeeper made four saves.
The Falcons carried a 2-0 lead into halftime, converting their first-half pressure into goals by
Agnes Bjork in the 21st minute and
Sam Yuen in the 36th. Early in the first half, the Falcons tested Reyna Dalton with saved shots from Yuen and
Valentina Gianinetto, while
Olivia Johnston saved Aleena Simon's attempt at 18:30.
The Falcons' busiest attacking stretch came from 20:11 to 29:04, when they earned three corner kicks and recorded six shots; Bjork scored off Yuen's assist at 20:52,
Serenity Thomas forced another save, and
Emelly Chicas hit the woodwork. After Johnston saved Natalie Carlock's shot in the 35th minute, the Falcons added to the lead shortly after when Yuen scored from Bjork's assist at 35:37. The Falcons added a late saved shot by Gianinetto and another corner kick before the half ended with the score 2-0.
The Falcons absorbed the Bobcats' push and finished the match ahead 2-1, with Johnston making second-half saves before Carlie Ice scored at 76:33 to make it 2-1. Fairmont State created the first sustained spell of the half, getting saved shots from
Arrington Sparks in the 48th and 52nd minutes and
Ava Yannucci in the 49th, along with a corner kick and a Gianinetto shot by the 56th.
Johnston later stopped attempts by Kailey Garofalo and Sydne Alexander as the Bobcats pressed between the 66th and 76th minutes. After the visitors' goal, the Falcons answered with continued pressure, including shots from Chicas,
Payton Parliament,
Dayra Dinarte and two more from
Arrington Sparks, plus an 89th-minute corner, to close out the 2-1 final.
Yuen scored the game-winning goal, added an assist and led the Falcons with six shots, including four on goal. Bjork tallied a goal and an assist on her only shot attempt.
Arrington Sparks added five shots, putting two on frame. Johnston played all 90 minutes in goal and made four saves while allowing one goal.
Fairmont State will host Davis & Elkins College on Wednesday, November 4 in the MEC Semifinals. Match time is set for 7:00 p.m.
