AUBURN, Ala. – The 21st-ranked West Virginia University women’s soccer team used an 89th-minute goal to earn a 1-0 victory over then-No. 25 Samford in a neutral-site game at the Auburn Soccer Complex in Auburn, Alabama, on Sunday afternoon.
The Mountaineers (3-1-2) once again struggled to find the back of the net for much of the game, but the fifth-year senior defenseman Jordan Brewster’s the last minute figure proved to be the difference. The North Canton, Ohio, native took a free kick just shy of the midfield line behind the second striker Dilary Heredia-Beltran committed a foul while dribbling in the attacking third. Brewster sent a rocket toward goal and the ball was mishandled by the Samford keeper to give the Highlanders’ star defender an impressive tally from distance.
Brewster’s tally was her first of the campaign and seventh of her career, while the game-winning goal was the third of her career.
Regardless of the final score, the final statistics showed a very even race. WVU just outshot Samford, 13-11, in shots, and both teams had four shots on goal apiece. In the corner kick, West Virginia narrowly edged Samford, 4-3, as the Bulldogs were whistled for nine offsides.
Four Highlanders led the charge with a pair of shots each, while the senior goalkeeper Kayza Massey was called upon to make four saves. Massey and the defense recorded their fourth shutout of the campaign, as well as their third in a row.
Sunday’s win over No. 25 Samford marked West Virginia’s first win over a ranked opponent since topping No. 10 Virginia, 1-0, on April 3, 2021. Additionally, it was the first win for a ranked team neutral site since defeating No. 9 Baylor, 3-0, on Nov. 4, 2018, to capture the 2018 Big 12 Championship crown.
Samford and West Virginia met on the court for the first time in program history on Sunday, as WVU now claims a 1-0 series lead. The Bulldog’s became WVU’s 118th opponent all-time.
The Mountaineers now return home to host Clemson on Thursday, September 8, at Dick Dlesk Football Stadium in Morgantown. The contest, set for 7:00 p.m. ET, is the Defense of Dlesk Fan Appreciation Night, and fans will have the opportunity to win raffle prizes throughout the game.
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