MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — West Virginia remained unbeaten in Big 12 play and they kept hopes alive to win the Big 12 regular season championship with a 2-0 win over Oklahoma State on Senior Day at Dick Dlesk Soccer Stadium.
The Mountaineers (12-2-3, 7-0-3 Big 12) outshot the Cowgirls (4-12-2, 0-9-1) 27-1 and held a 13-2 edge on corner kicks in a match that was dominated by the home team from the opening whistle.
“I was very pleased with their performance and how they dealt with a high counterattacking team. A-plus,” said WVU head coach Nikki Izzo-Brown.
“I thought we did a great job controlling the tempo of the game and taking care of the ball. Obviously, 27 shots and we don’t score any off that. That’s a C-minus. Overall, I thought we did some really good things moving the block.”
West Virginia scored both of their goals off corner kicks. In the fifth minute, Ava Arnold tallied her second goal of the season off a corner from Anna Hauer. The Mountaineers doubled their advantage in the 55th minute when Abbey Olexa scored off a feed from Ajanae Respass. Olexa’s goal was her fourth of the season.
“Coach [Lisa] Stoia does a great job with that (corner kicks). She is always trying to see the setups of our opposing defenses and how she feels like we can get an edge. For her to get two off that, she gets an A-plus too.”
WVU goalkeeper Bailey Herfurth did not need to make a save as her record improved to 11-0-3.
With the win, WVU (24 points) remains in second place in the Big 12 standings. TCU (25 points) defeated Arizona State, 2-1 Sunday. The Mountaineers will host Cincinnati to conclude the regular season Thursday, while TCU faces Houston.
“We are hoping that some good things happen but that we also take care of business on Thursday.”