WHEELING, W.Va. — The 23rd-ranked Fairmont State women's soccer team (6-0-1, 4-0-1) defeated Wheeling (0-7-0, 0-5-0) 7-2 on Sunday at Bishop Schmitt Field. The Falcons scored twice in the first half and added five goals after halftime.
Sam Yuen put the Falcons in front 40 seconds into the first half, giving the visitors a 1-0 lead.
Olivia Johnston kept the margin there with a save on Lily Hanna in the fifth minute, and the Falcons continued to create chances with attempts from
Serenity Thomas, Yuen and
Agnes Bjork before
Valentina Gianinetto scored from
Maria Day's assist at 29:25 to make it 2-0.
The half also included a physical stretch with five fouls between the sixth and 16th minutes, but the Falcons stayed in control of the scoreline until the Cardinals answered through Hanna in the 36th minute.
Payton Parliament added a late shot after a Falcons corner, and the visitors took a 2-1 lead into halftime.
The Falcons answered the Cardinals' 63:54 equalizer by scoring five times over the final 21 minutes of the second half to finish off a 7-2 win. Earlier in the half, the Falcons generated three shots before the 55-minute mark, while Johnston made saves on back-to-back Cardinals chances before the home side tied the match at 2.
Thomas put the Falcons back in front at 69:56, and Bjork added a 77:14 goal off a
Colletta Hardman assist. Thomas scored again at 79:51,
Calloway Segeleon followed at 81:31 from Parliament, and
Addyson Nose converted an 87:10 penalty kick to close the scoring. Fairmont State closed out the final minutes to secure the five-goal victory.
The Falcons finished with a 16-7 shot advantage, including an 11-5 edge in shots on goal, while the Cardinals were whistled for 19 fouls. Thomas scored twice, recorded the game-winning goal and finished with four points on three shots. Yuen added a goal and put two of her three shots on frame. Nose converted her penalty attempt and placed both of her shots on goal. Johnston made three saves in 79:55 and was credited with the win.
Fairmont State remains on the road on Wednesday, September 23 to face West Virginia Wesleyan. Start time from Buckhannon, West Virginia is set for 5:00 p.m.
