WEST LIBERTY, W.Va. – The Frostburg State women's soccer team earned its 10th win of the season on the road at West Liberty, defeating the hosts 3-0 on Wednesday.
After fending off an early corner, FSU went on the attack, with junior Mollie Rebuck sending a shot wide and another high, while classmate Cassidy Paige forced WLU keeper Kaisa Vale into a diving save. Junior Rayiah Davis then had a volleyed attempt following a free kick but put it right at Vale. Around the 25th minute, senior keeper Mia Graff made an easy save on the Hilltoppers' only shot of the half, a long-distance attempt right into her arms. Frostburg continued to create chances, as junior Elena Fernandez made a great run down the left wing and cut into the box to find sophomore Reese Rizzo, who clipped her effort just over the bar.
Junior Ana Davis then had the best opportunity to score at the half hour mark, being gifted the ball after a missed clearance six yards from goal, but Vale made a point-blank stop to keep the Bobcats off the board. With seven minutes to go in the half, FSU finally found their breakthrough, as junior Ainsley Wilson sent a ball toward the top of the box, where Rizzo outpaced everyone to it, dribbling calmly around Vale and finding the back of the net. In the final 60 seconds, freshman Kelly Dougherty looked to double the advantage from 20 yards out, pulling her shot just wide of the post and heading into the break at 1-0.Â
Frostburg came out in the second half the much hungrier of the sides, as Ana Davis was played through but shot right at Vale. Rebuck and Paige then had efforts go wide, with the former also hitting a first-time shot at Vale. Thirteen minutes in, Rayiah Davis won a header off a goal kick that was played right into the path of Paige, who held off a defender and finished into the bottom left corner for a 2-0 lead. The Hilltoppers were able to put together some attacking play, getting an effort away just over the bar.
With just under 20 minutes to go in the half, the sides traded chances back and forth, as senior Chelsea Pettyjohn was played into the box but put her shot just wide of the post, then each keeper made a save on efforts right at them. Searching for a way back into the game, West Liberty set up an effective press that generated a pair of efforts, though both missed the mark. FSU finally was able to put the game away with 14 minutes to play, as sophomore Emma Hostetler flicked a deft header on a cross from classmate Abbey Robrecht into the far left post. Late on, Robrecht had another chance go right at Vale, while freshman Hallie Stansfield drew a fine save as well, ending things at 3-0.Â
FSU held a 19-5 advantage in shots, putting 12 on target to the hosts' two.Â
With the win, Frostburg improves to 10-2-2 overall while West Liberty drops to 2-11-1. The Bobcats will next host Point Park for their Homecoming Game on Saturday, October 17 at 5:30 p.m. For more information, visit frostburgsports.com.
