6:00pm: Sportsline with Tony Caridi

No. 2 West Virginia women deal Princeton first loss

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – Alli Magaletta put No. 2 West Virginia ahead in the 41st minute before Michaela Abam and Ashley Lawrence tacked on second-half goals within a span of six minutes to lift the Mountaineers past previously unbeaten Princeton 3-0 on Friday night.

Taken down in the box, West Virginia senior Ashley Lawrence converted the penalty kick to put the Mountaineers ahead in a 3-0 win over Princeton.

Playing in front of the fifth-best women’s soccer crowd in stadium history, WVU pushed its unbeaten home streak to 30, the 11th best all-time NCAA mark.

The Mountaineers (7-0-1) got a career-high five saves from Michelle Newhouse, but the team’s fourth shutout of the season was preserved in the 50th minute when Sh’Nia Gordon kicked away a chance by defender Jesse McDonough at the right post off a corner kick. The Tigers (6-1) were outshot 20-9.

“This team always has a good energy,” said West Virginia coach Niki Izzo-Brown, whose team climbed to the second spot in this week’s NCAA coaches poll. “They knew how important this game would be, especially playing at home against an undefeated Princeton. They just really enjoy playing competition and a team like Princeton.”

Magaletta’s first goal for WVU went down as a game-winner.

After a hard foul on Hannah Abraham outside the box, Carla Portillo slammed a free kick off the crossbar. The rebound fell just outside the goal box, where Ashley Woolpert headed the ball into the air. Fighting for position, Magaletta got her head on the ball.

“A team like Princeton, the longer you keep them around, the more dangerous they become,” Izzo-Brown said. “We knew that. It was frustrating, but we finally put one away in the first half. We couldn’t get a couple in that we wanted in earlier.”

WVU quickly pushed its lead to two goals early in the second half, as leading scorer Abam connected on an easy opportunity after a cross from Gordon.

The Mountaineers’ third score came via penalty kick.

Portillo again jump-started the scoring play, sending a through ball to a streaking Lawrence up the right side of the field. As Lawrence pushed ahead, Tiger midfielder Natalie Larkin gave chase from behind before taking the quick senior midfielder down. Lawrence shook off the foul and stepped up to the penalty-kick line and connected for her first goal of the season.

The Mountaineers return to Dick Dlesk Soccer Stadium on Sunday afternoon against No. 18 Georgetown (7-1) at 1 p.m.





More Sports

Sports
Tucker DeVries prepares to shoulder challenges awaiting in Big 12
A two-time Missouri Valley Conference Player of the Year, Tucker DeVries will spend his senior season at West Virginia. As he gets acclimated to a new program, DeVries' focus is on improving the health in his right shoulder after undergoing surgery on it Tuesday.
March 28, 2024 - 4:54 pm
Sports
Darian DeVries welcomed as West Virginia men's basketball coach
DeVries eager for what's to come in what marks second head coaching gig.
March 28, 2024 - 2:57 pm
Marshall Sports
Integrating new players, coaches a focus for Herd at start of spring practice
Head coach Charles Huff says learning who his team is a critical component of spring football.
March 28, 2024 - 8:47 am
High School Sports
Class AAA Boys Basketball All-State List
State champion Shady Spring lands two on first team, including captain Ammar Maxwell.
March 28, 2024 - 8:42 am