West Liberty, W.Va. – Wednesday evening on the hilltop provided fans with the second highest scoring match of the season, however West Liberty fell to Fairmont State by a score of 4-3 for the first loss at the West Family Athletic Complex this season. The back-and-forth action saw four goals in the span of six minutes midway through the second half, however the Falcons delivered the final blow with the game-winning goal occurring with only ten seconds remaining.
 
QUICK DETAILS
Final Score: West Liberty 3, Fairmont State 4
Team Records: West Liberty 5-6-3 (4-5-2 MEC), Fairmont State 5-7-2 (4-6-1 MEC)
Attendance: 56
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• After collecting a pass just past midfield Maya Taggart did the rest as she raced the defender into the 18 yard box and fired a shot past FSU's Olivia Johnston, who moved up into the box to challenge the shot, for the first goal of the match in the 24^th minute.
• Fairmont State evened the match at one apiece entering the halftime break, as Alejandra Puerto sidestepped the WLU defender near the top of the six yard box after receiving a pass from Isabella Maldonado and placed the ball into the right side of the net in the 41^st minute.
• The Falcons took the lead for the first time shortly after the half as Puerto notched her second goal of the match in the 54^th minute. Serenity Thomas collected the ball off a free kick and drew in multiple defenders as she tried to turn the corner, leaving an open window for a pass to Puerto at the top of the six yard box who then headed the ball into the top left corner of the net.
• Amelia Compston brought the Hilltoppers back even in the 58^th minute as she placed a penalty kick shot into the left side of the net. The opportunity was set up by Compston's pass to Morgan Kost who started to attack into the 18 yard box and drew the penalty.
• Fairmont regained the 3-2 lead in the 59^th minute as Tristen Bright collected the ball off a deflected throw in, firing a high, floating shot from roughly 30 yards out into the top left corner of the net.
• The Black & Gold continued the scoring barrage less than a minute later in the 60^th minute, when a Falcon defender fell and Mia Zecca chased down the ball. Zecca fired a shot from 20 yards and found the back of the net.
• Only ten seconds remained when Fairmont State tallied the game-winning goal. Zara Wickert dove to punch away a cross pass, however she was unable to recover in time for her second diving attempt as Maldonado collected the ball just inside the 18 yard box and found the top left corner of the goal.
• Fairmont State held the advantage in shots (25-12), shots-on-goal (9), and corner kicks (6-3) while West Liberty held the edge in saves (9-6).

WEST LIBERTY STATISTICAL LEADERS
Amelia Compston: 3 shots, 3 shots-on-goal, 1 goal
Maya Taggart: 2 shots, 2 shots-on-goal, 1 goal
Mia Zecca: 1 shot, 1 shot-on-goal, 1 goal
Isabella Aperfine: 1 assist
Zara Wickert: 9 saves
 
UP NEXT
West Liberty will play the first of two consecutive matches on the road on Sunday afternoon, traveling to South Euclid, Ohio, to face Notre Dame. The Hilltoppers and Falcons are set for a 12 p.m. kickoff at Mueller Field.