RICHMOND, Va. – A record-setting goal scored 47 seconds into the match set the tone for No. 4 West Virginia’s highest-scoring output of the season in a 4-1 rout of Richmond on Friday.
“We obviously responded to my challenge and put four goals in the back of the net,” Mountaineers coach Nikki Izzo-Brown said. “Richmond is a very good team, and I was very happy to see us come out and finish our chances.
“Collectively, the team really wanted to come out and put the ball in the back of the net in the first 10 minutes – it’s something we haven’t been able to do this season.”
After Hannah Abraham made it 2-0 the 42nd minute, Richmond (5-3-1) responded early in the second half on Meaghan Carrigan’s penalty kick.
But Carla Portillo answered 67 seconds later with a blast from 25 yards out, and Jade Gentile sealed the win with a late-game goal.
“We gave a great performance and great effort,” said Richmond coach Peter Albright said. “I thought we were a little unlucky at times, but West Virginia is a great team.”
West Virginia finished with a 23-11 edge in shots and forced Carlie Blessing into seven saves, including five in the first half. Mountaineers goalkeeper Rylee Foster tallied six saves for her fifth win.