FAIRMONT, W. Va. – Having already secured a North Division Championship, the Frostburg State Women's Soccer team ensured that their regular season concluded on a high note, defeating Fairmont State 1-0 on Wednesday evening.
 
The Fighting Falcons began the game on the front foot, drawing an early save from senior Katie Sterne on a volley from outside the box. After another Fairmont effort went high, the Bobcats had a couple chances to take the lead just under 12 minutes in, as junior Jayme Sooy whipped a shot in from distance that came back off the post, where freshman Mollie Rebuck was quickly closed down by keeper Olivia Johnston on the rebound.
 
Sterne made an easy catch on a shot from deep 10 minutes later before a counter-attack gave Frostburg a corner kick. Senior Carolyn DeSena launched the ball to the back post, where classmate Cat Smith rose highest to meet it with power to the back of the net for a 1-0 lead. The post came to Johnston's rescue again six minutes later, as senior Mackenzie Alonso smacked a 25-yard effort that had the netminder rooted to her spot, but hit off the inside of the post and out.
 
The Bobcats continued to keep up the pressure, as junior Morgan Mrizek was the next to test Johnston, snapping a left-footed shot that had to be tipped over the bar. Fairmont found their footing once again in the final 15 of the half, twice missing wide, then coming closest with the post this time saving Sterne, who made a couple of late saves to preserve the one-goal halftime lead.
 
Frostburg had the opening attack of the second, as freshman Rayiah Davis sent a half-volley high over the bar. Five minutes later, Sterne had her top moment of the game to that point, sprawling across her net to reach a goal-bound header from Valentina Gianinetto that would have nestled in the bottom corner. The teams then were locked in a defensive battle for 15 minutes, before the Bobcats were awarded a free kick just outside the Fairmont box, but Smith put her powerful effort over the bar.
 
The only Falcon shot over a half hour period was blocked before reaching Sterne, as just before the final 10 minutes, senior Madi Allen latched onto a throw-in that bounced into the box but left her shot too close to Johnston. Each side traded attacks with one another, as Sterne was able to grab a header off a Fairmont corner, then senior Mei Homman had a driven free kick caught by Johnston before Rebuck sent a curling effort just high and wide of the mark. DeSena shut down the Falcons' last chance to score, coming across to block a Braylyn Sparks shot that preserved the 1-0 victory.
 
Fairmont held slight advantages in both shots (12-10) and shots on target (6-5) as Sterne made six saves in net to earn the clean sheet.
 
With the win, Frostburg improves to 14-2-2 on the year, while the Falcons fall to 11-6-1. Both teams now advance to MEC Tournament Quarterfinals, where the Bobcats will host West Virginia Wesleyan at home on Sunday, November 10. Information and updates will be posted to frostburgsports.com.