West Liberty University Athletics

     CHARLESTON, W.Va. – The University of Charleston scored all three of its goals in the second half here Sunday to rally past West Liberty, 3-2, in Mountain East Conference women's soccer action at the Welch Athletic Complex.
     Coach Barry Christmas' Hilltoppers (5-3-2, 4-2-2) carried a 1-0 lead into halftime thanks to a Rileigh Gualtiere goal in the 40th minute, off an assist by Anne Williams, but the Golden Eagles (6-4-0, 5-3-0) responded quickly when play resumed.
     Charleston equalized with an unassisted score from Laura Vierhout less than 90 seconds after the second-half kickoff but the score didn't remain deadlocked for long Jori Alexander restored West Liberty's one-goal lead when she finished off an assist from Zayne Brakeall in the 48th minute.
     The Golden Eagles tied it again in the 69th minute after a WLU player was carded on a foul in the box. Madison Hansen drove home the penalty kick for the hosts to make it 2-2.
     The match appeared headed for overtime when Charleston caught another break. Rachel Osborne came on the ball in space near midfield and carried the ball into the attacking third. Just as Osborne approached the top of the box, a back-pedaling Hilltopper defender lost her footing and fell to the turf.
     Granted a clear line to the WLU goal, Osborne ripped a well-placed drive into the lower left corner of the cage for the game-winner in the 87th minute.
     The West Liberty women will try to bounce back on Wednesday when they host MEC South Division power West Virginia State in a 6 p.m. match at the West Family Athletic Complex.
  West Liberty                                       1  1 – 2
Charleston                                           0  3 – 3        WLU: Rileigh Gualtiere (Anne Williams), 39:19        UC: Laura Vierhout (unassisted), 46:28
       WLU: Jori Alexander (Zayne Brakeall), 47:55
       UC: Madison Hansen (penalty kick), 68:32
       UC: Rachel Osborne (unassisted), 86:28        Shots: West Liberty 5, Charleston 18
       Shots on Goal: West Liberty 4, Charleston 8
       Saves: West Liberty 5 (Olivia Montgomery 4), Charleston 2 (Kaylee Hensley 1)
       Corners: West Liberty 4, Charleston 8
A: 150