No. 16 WVU Women’s Soccer made Senior Day a good one, picking up a 2-1 win over Utah Sunday at Dick Dlesk Soccer Stadium.
Abbey Olexa got the Mountaineers on the board in the first half before Maya Leoni added another goal after the break. Utah made things interesting with a goal in the 64th minute, but WVU held on for its fourth straight win. Read more: WVU Women’s Soccer holds off Utah on Senior Day for fourth straight win.
WVU strikes first in opening half
West Virginia controlled much of the first half, keeping Utah’s offense quiet while searching for an early goal.
The Mountaineers nearly found the back of the net in the fifth minute when Mia Paugh got her head on a corner kick, but Utah cleared the ball off the line to keep the game scoreless.
WVU did not have to wait much longer to break through.
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In the ninth minute, Olexa put the Mountaineers ahead with a low, curling shot into the bottom-right corner of the net. Leoni and Olivia Shertzer picked up assists on the goal as West Virginia took a 1-0 lead.
The Mountaineers controlled possession for much of the opening half, limiting Utah’s chances and taking a one-goal advantage into the break.
Leoni adds insurance before Utah responds
West Virginia carried its momentum into the second half and doubled its lead thanks to Leoni.
The fourth-year midfielder finished a left-footed shot into the bottom-left corner of the net, giving WVU a 2-0 advantage and putting the Mountaineers in a strong position to close out Senior Day with a win.
Utah, however, responded with pressure of its own.
The Utes began creating more opportunities on the counterattack and eventually cut the deficit in half in the 64th minute. Utah midfielder Shannon Davidson found the net to make it a 2-1 game, giving the visitors a chance to get back into it.
The goal shifted the momentum, with Utah pushing forward in search of an equalizer. West Virginia had to work to slow down the Utes’ attack, but the Mountaineers eventually settled back in and created chances of their own.
Mountaineers close it out
West Virginia found its footing over the final 15 minutes, putting pressure back on Utah and looking to add another goal.
The Mountaineers recorded five shots and three corner kicks during that stretch as they worked to put the game away. Utah kept searching for an equalizer, but WVU’s defense held up when it mattered most.
The Mountaineers finished with a 55% share of possession and four corner kicks, compared to none for Utah. Both teams recorded five shots on goal.
Leoni finished with a goal and an assist in just 36 minutes of action, helping lead West Virginia to its fourth consecutive victory.
With the Senior Day win secured, WVU aims to keep its streak going when it returns to Dick Dlesk Soccer Stadium on Friday to host UCF. Kickoff is scheduled for 3 p.m. in Morgantown.
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