WEST LIBERTY, W.Va. - The West Liberty University women's soccer team celebrated Senior Day and played its final match of the 2022 season today at West Family Athletic Complex against crosstown rival Wheeling. The Cardinals were able to edge out the Hilltoppers 3-2.

The Hilltoppers possessed the ball early, but a mixture of offsides penalties and late defense from Wheeling prevented chances from accumulating. The Cardinals ended up striking first with a 20th minute goal fired in from 20 yards out and then added to the early lead with a 34th minute score to go up 2-0.

West Liberty was quick to answer with two goals of its own to tie the match and take momentum into the halftime break. Ellie Cunningham needed less than a minute on the pitch to score the Hilltoppers first goal. Seconds after subbing in, Zayne Brakeall dribbled to the edge of the box and sent a perfect pass to the middle for Cunningham to one-time it in. The assist from Brakeall was their first point of the season fittingly on Senior Day. The goal was also Cunningham's first score of the year.

A mere two minutes later, Amelia Compston broke loose in front of the Wheeling defense and won the one-on-one battle against the Cardinal keeper tying the match at two. Isabella Bankovich set Compston up, earning her team-leading 4th assist of the season.

Wheeling jumped back in front in the 53rd minute and held that lead the rest of the way, but the Hilltoppers did not go down without a fight.

Four of West Liberty's five second half shots came after the Cardinal go-ahead goal, three of which went on target but were stopped by the keeper. The biggest opportunity for the Black and Gold to tie it came in the 62nd minute after a Wheeling penalty in the box set up a WLU penalty kick. Claire Kelly took it for the Hilltoppers and fired it near the left post, but a diving stop kept the deficit at one.

The Cardinals outshot West Liberty 17-10, but the 'Toppers put seven of their 10 attempts on frame. Compston and Isabella Aperfine had two shots each pacing the attack.

Prior to the match, West Liberty honored graduating seniors Zayne Brakeall,  Anna Johnston, Claire Kelly, and Alyssa Rhinaman.

West Liberty finishes the season with a 5-12-1 overall record and a 4-11-1 mark in Mountain East Conference play.

Postgame Interview with Coach Barry Christmas ↓