Late Burst Lifts Falcons Past WLU Women

FAIRMONT, W.Va. – Fairmont State scored three goals in the final 15 minutes here Monday to snap a 1-1 tie and pull away to a 4-1 victory against West Liberty in Mountain East Conference women's soccer action at Duvall-Rosier Field.

Coach Barry Christmas's Hilltoppers (1-2-2) drew first blood when senior forward Kaelyn Oskin forced a Falcon turnover inside the box, created some space and hammered one home from 10 yards out for a 1-0 WLU lead in the 17th minute.

The advantage proved short-lived, however, as Fairmont (2-0-3) equalized with a Jessica Schneider goal in the 19th minute.

Neither team scored again until the Falcons' game-clinching burst in the waning minutes.

Fairmont State outshot West Liberty by an 18-9 margin, putting 12 of those shots on frame. Hilltopper keeper Olivia Montgomery was credited with 9 saves while Taylor Kennedy stopped 5 WLU shots to get the win in net for the Falcons.

The road doesn't get any easier for the Black and Gold as West Liberty heads to the shores of Lake Erie on Thursday for a 3 p.m. match at MEC North Division leader Notre Dame (Ohio).

WOMEN'S SOCCER

Fairmont State 3, West Liberty 1

West Liberty 1 0 – 1

Fairmont State 1 2 – 3

First Half

WLU: Kaelyn Oskin (unassisted), 16:22

FSU: Jessica Schneider (Mackenzie Gillespie, Ari Christiansen), 18:48

Second Half

FSU: Gracie Smith (Jessica Schneider), 74:18

FSU: Kiera Kuzinski (unassisted), 78:57

FSU: Kellie Norris (Jessica Schneider, Emma Delk), 88:48

Match Statistics

Shots: West Liberty 9, Fairmont State 18

Saves: West Liberty 9 (Olivia Montgomery 9), Fairmont State 5 (Taylor Kennedy 5)

Corners: West Liberty 4, Fairmont State 1