WVU Women’s Soccer entered the season with plenty to prove, now starting the season off 3-0-0 for the first time since 2017. Additionally, the old gold and blue jumped 15 spots in Tuesday’s United States Soccer Coaches Top 25, all the way up to No. 7.
Three games in, the Mountaineers have already made one thing clear: they are ready for the challenge. Read more: Izzo-Brown: WVU Women’s Soccer ready for new expectations after Penn State statement win.
Following a 2-1 victory over nationally ranked Penn State and a shutout over Duquesne, WVU head coach Nikki Izzo-Brown joined West Virginia Sports Nation across the John Fredericks Media Network
She discussed what the win meant, the depth of her roster and the expectations that now come with being a nationally ranked team.
A signature win for the seniors
For Izzo-Brown, the victory over Penn State was about more than simply adding another win to the schedule.
It was about the seniors.
“I think the first thought that went in my mind is always about the seniors and what legacy they wanted to leave,” Izzo-Brown said.
West Virginia had not beaten Penn State since 2017, making the victory a significant moment for a senior class that had never experienced a win over the Nittany Lions.
Izzo Brown also recognized what the victory could mean later in the season.
With West Virginia hoping to make another run at the NCAA Tournament, beating a nationally respected program like Penn State could eventually become a signature win on the Mountaineers’ resumé.
Defense setting the tone
While the offense did enough to secure the victory, it was West Virginia’s defense that allowed the Mountaineers to finish the job.
Related: WVU Women’s Soccer relying on teamwork early
Penn State scored on its lone shot on goal, but WVU responded and held the Nittany Lions to just three shots on goal for the game.
For Izzo-Brown, that defensive performance was a reflection of the entire team.
“We defend to attack,” Izzo-Brown said. “Our back line does a great job attacking as well.”
Through three games, West Virginia has allowed just one goal, while outscoring its opponents 6-1.
And perhaps just as encouraging for Izzo-Brown is how the Mountaineers have been able to produce despite not having their entire roster available.
Depth becoming a strength
West Virginia has already dealt with injuries to three or four projected starters, forcing other players into bigger roles early in the season.
Instead of becoming a weakness, however, the situation has allowed the Mountaineers to build experience throughout their roster.
Sophia Nickel has been a prime example.
Coming off the bench, Nickel has scored in all three games and has provided the game-winning goal in consecutive contests. Izzo-Brown praised the way she goes about things, doing whatever the team needs, whether that means playing in the back or moving forward into the attack.
“She comes in and she’s absolutely a spark plug,” Izzo-Brown said.
That type of production has given West Virginia something every championship-caliber team needs; options.
Izzo-Brown pointed to the midfield and outside backs as the strongest areas of her bench, while also emphasizing how important depth will become as the schedule gets tougher.
The Mountaineers are now the hunted
And it is about to get much tougher.
West Virginia is no longer entering games as an unknown.
The Mountaineers are now a top ten team, and Izzo-Brown knows that changes the way opponents will approach them.
“Every game is going to be a World Cup for us,” Izzo-Brown said.
The challenge now is maintaining the same standard that helped West Virginia get off to its 3-0 start.
The Big 12 will provide plenty of opportunities to test that standard.
Baylor and Colorado are among the early conference opponents, with both presenting very different challenges. Baylor brings an experienced goalkeeper and an organized team, while Colorado has one of the country’s premier goal scorers.
For West Virginia, however, the goal remains the same.
A year ago, the Mountaineers fell just one point short of winning the Big 12 championship.
This time around, they believe they have the pieces to finish the job.
TCU already on the radar
And there is already one matchup Izzo-Brown has circled.
TCU.
The Horned Frogs reached the Final Four last season, and for Izzo-Brown, that makes them an obvious opponent to watch.
“Everybody wants what, you know, you didn’t get,” Izzo-Brown said.
West Virginia has already made an early statement against Penn State.
Now, the challenge is proving that it was not a one-night moment.
The Mountaineers have a target on their backs, a deeper roster gaining experience and a defense that has allowed just one goal through three games.
The expectations have changed. Izzo-Brown and her team are embracing them.
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