FROSTBURG, Md. – The Frostburg State Women's Soccer team used a strong defensive effort to take down Charleston (WV) 2-0 on Sunday during Homecoming Weekend.
 
After a combined three fouls from the teams within the first five minutes, an FSU free kick was swung deep into the box, where sophomore Ellie Fiedler attempted to control the ball and was fouled from behind, resulting in a penalty kick. Senior Mary Greco stepped up and maintained her perfect record on the season, sending Ines Degli Esposti the wrong way for a 1-0 advantage.
 
Fiedler had a good chance to double the lead four minutes later after being played through, but she was forced a little too wide and couldn't generate enough power on her shot to trouble Esposti. UC finally got their first real chance of the game 15 minutes in, as some solid build-up play resulted in Ciara Casamento receiving the ball just outside the 6-yard box, but sophomore Kayla Doty came quickly out of her goal to smother the shot and keep the Bobcats ahead.
 
Frostburg had another opportunity through Fiedler where they thought they had put home their second, but her effort was cleared off the line by a Golden Eagle defender. The ball went out for a corner, from which junior Madison Hinton planted a header just wide of the mark. 10 minutes later, sophomore Mollie Rebuck sprinted through the Charleston back line and had a one-on-one chance against Esposti, but couldn't get her shot around the French international as the score remained 1-0. Each team had a shot that went wide of goal to close out the final 15 minutes of the half.
 
UC attempted to find an immediate response out of the break, as Doty gathered a powerful effort from outside the box within five minutes. FSU then settled in and resumed the pace of play they had set from the first half, as both Hinton and senior Morgan Mrizek had good chances that were saved by Esposti. Each team again had shots that missed the mark during a 10-minute spell, as Fiedler tried her luck from distance but fired right at Esposti.
 
The Bobcats were able to regularly get into attacking positions but weren't able to put their efforts on goal, as sophomores Rayiah Davis and Cassidy Paige and junior Chelsea Pettyjohn all planted wide. With just under 15 to go, Doty made another near-post save on a shot from deep looking to complete her shutout bid. Senior Carly Gillette then took a pop at goal, however her shots lacked the pace needed to trouble Esposti.
 
As the Golden Eagles pressed for an equalizer, they could only manage shots from outside the box, both of which went wide left. FSU then earned a free kick with five minutes on the clock, which Greco launched towards the box as Pettyjohn made a great run with a flicked header that looped over Esposti and in for a much-needed insurance goal. The Frostburg defense locked down the rest of the way, forcing one more missed effort wide to secure the 2-0 victory.
 
FSU held a 16-11 advantage in shots, with nine on target while limiting UC to just three, as Doty completed her second career shutout.
 
With the win, Frostburg improves to 5-3-1 on the year, while Charleston drops to 4-4-1. The Bobcats hit the road for their next matchup at Davis & Elkins on Wednesday, October 8 at 7 p.m. Information and updates will be posted to frostburgsports.com.