FROSTBURG, Md. – The Frostburg State Women's Soccer team continued their best start in program history with a 3-0 victory over Fairmont State at home on Wednesday evening.
Both sides came out with purpose, as it was a back-and-forth affair with possession trading every five or so minutes. Each team had a shot on goal in the first five minutes, but neither keeper had to move much to make a save.
Frostburg took control midway through the half, as junior Toni Fiocco-Mizer fired from just outside the 18 into the arms of Falcon keeper Taylor Kennedy. Six minutes later, it would be Kennedy to collide with Fiocco-Mizer in the box, resulting in a penalty which the latter finished into the left side of the goal for a 1-0 lead.
The Bobcats turned up the pressure for the next few minutes, winning possession back regularly, but were unable to create any more meaningful chances. Fairmont had the last opportunity of the half, but junior goalkeeper Ashley Bilger was able to collect well on a hard bounce to prevent a rebound and keep the shutout going.
Frostburg started the better of the two teams in the second half, as they were able to double their lead on a wonder goal from junior Caroline Burton. Graduate Abbey Dennis launched a free kick into the box, which was headed down and found Burton, who hit a sweetly-struck volley that bounced under the crossbar and past Kennedy for a 2-0 scoreline on 55 minutes.
Fairmont thought they would get a goal back as Alejandra Puetro Sorto unleashed a rocket from 30 yards out, but Bilger flew to her right to tip the ball over the ball and limit the damage to a corner in her best moment of the match.
The Bobcats didn't let their momentum fade, as sophomores Cat Smith and Keely Knotts both had close efforts that just missed their target. Freshman Carly Gillette finally put the cherry on top of the victory, as she was fed by Fiocco-Mizer and took a great first touch into the box, then toe-poked past Kennedy.
The 3-0 final score didn't tell the full story of the game, as the shots were very close at 12-11, including six shots on goal to four, with the Bobcats just edging the Falcons out in each category.
With the win, Frostburg improves to 7-0 on the year, continuing the program's best winning start in school history, while Fairmont falls to 2-2-2. The Bobcats return to action Sunday, September 25 on the road at Davis & Elkins for a 5 p.m. kickoff. Information and updates will be posted at frostburgsports.com.
