WEST LIBERTY, W.Va. - There could not have been more emotions built up around today's match, as the West Liberty University men's soccer team celebrated Senior Day, crosstown rival Wheeling was the opponent, Head Coach Sean Regan faced off against his brother on the Wheeling sideline for the first time at home, oh and the Hilltoppers needed a win to make the Mountain East Conference playoffs. In dramatic fashion, West Liberty did just that with a 2-1 comeback win, sending them into the playoffs for the first time in program history.

A noticeably energized Hilltopper team applied pressure throughout the first half building a 5-1 shot advantage, but they could not capitalize as the match went to break scoreless.

The offenses turned up in the second half with 17 shots between the two sides. The ice was broken in the 66th minute after a West Liberty penalty in the box set up a PK for Armando Loynaz. Underwood dove the right direction, but it went just out of his reach for the Cardinal lead, 1-0.

The Hilltoppers kept battling and only needed six minutes to tie things up. Tim Stickland set up Oskar Voges in stride and Voges fired it in off the far post to renew momentum for the Black and Gold.

Just four minutes later, Vitor Otsuka dribbled through two defenders into the box and sent a pass to the top of the six where Joseph Fonagy one-timed it out of the air and sent it to the back of the net for the Hilltopper lead.

Underwood made two of his four saves after the lead was established to help secure the 'Topper victory.

The Hilltoppers ended the match with 12 shots and seven on goal, Fonagy paced the attack with five and four on target, while Daniel Rovira added three and sent one off the crossbar early in the match.

Prior to the match, the team honored graduating senior Daniel Rovira for his contributions to the program.

West Liberty will be the #6 seed in the upcoming playoffs beginning on Tuesday. The opponent and host of the match will be the #3 seed which is to be announced.

Follow the Hilltoppers all season long online at HilltopperSports.com, as well as on Twitter (@WLU_MSoccer, @WLathletics), Instagram (@wlu_msoccer, @wlu_athletics), and Facebook.

Postgame Interviews ↓

Daniel Rovira, Oskar Voges, and Joseph Fonagy


Coach Sean Regan