MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – The West Virginia University women’s soccer team continues its two-game, opening-weekend homestand against Saint Joseph’s on Sunday, August 21 at 1:00 p.m., ET at Dick Dlesk Soccer Stadium in Morgantown.
Sunday’s game is the Pups on the Pitch game and fans are encouraged to bring their dog, along with a full Dog Day Takedown, to the stadium. The first 100 dogs in attendance will receive a free mountain football dog toy.
It is also the first of three Family Days planned for this season. Purchase a Family Day ticket package, which includes four tickets and a $10 concession coupon, for just $25. The game of St. Joe will also be fans’ first opportunity to receive a copy of the 2022 WVU women’s soccer schedule poster.
Fans are encouraged to purchase tickets in advance by visiting WVUGAME.com or by calling 1-800-WVU GAME. When purchased online, tickets are $5 each. Any remaining tickets are $7 for adults and $5 for youth and seniors at the stadium ticket window on game day.
WVU student tickets will also be available at the Mountaineer Ticket Office, located in Dick Dlesk Football Stadium. The office, as well as the stadium gates, open at 12:00 on the day of the match. WVU students are admitted free with a valid WVU student ID
Andrew Caridi and Adam Zundell have Sunday’s Big 12 Now contest call on ESPN+. For more information or to register on the digital platform, visit WVUsports.com/Big12Now. The game can also be heard on 91.7 FM (WWVU) in Morgantown, and live stats are available at WVUsports.com.
Last time out, West Virginia opened the 2022 campaign with a 0-0 tie against first-team opponent Indiana in Morgantown on Aug. 18. The Highlanders dominated possession throughout the match, creating several chances in the final 15 minutes, but couldn’t quite put the pieces together to find the back of the net.
WVU’s offense outscored Indiana 7-1 in the second half, with four of those touchdowns coming with less than 20 minutes left in the contest. The final stats showed the Mountaineers outshooting Indiana 12-3, while the Hoosiers edged WVU, 4-2, in corner kicks.
Four Highlanders earned their first career cap in the season opener as a midfielder/senior defender Maddie Moreausmall midfielder Isabel Loza and freshmen Emily Thompson AND Taylor White took the field for the first time in Gold and Blue. Also of note, fifth-year senior linebacker Jordon Brewster made her 80th career start for West Virginia against the Hoosiers.
Sunday’s game marks just the second meeting between West Virginia and Saint Joseph. The two teams met for the first time in the 2020-21 season, with WVU posting a 3-1 victory in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on March 7. Two different Highlanders found the back of the net against the Hawks, incl Julianne Vallerand which was adjudged the game winner. West Virginia beat St. Joe’s, 22-3, putting 15 of those shots on goal.
Jess Mannella enters her 22nd season at the helm of the Saint Joseph women’s soccer program, leading the Hawks to a 171-183-43 overall record since her hire in 2001. SJU opened the campaign of 2022 with a 2-1 loss at St. John’s on Aug. 18 after finishing the 2021 campaign 6-12-2 and 5-5 in conference play.
Midfielder Ashley Orendac returns for her senior season after leading the team with five goals in 2021, earning second-team Atlantic 10 All-Conference honors. Goalie Katie Cappelletti returns for the Hawks after starting all 20 games last season and posting a 6-10-2 record.
For more information on the Mountaineers, follow @WVUWomensSoccer at I tweetFacebook and Instagram.
