West Liberty, W.Va. – The West Liberty University women's soccer team remained close throughout with a challenging match-up against Fairmont State, dropping the contest 1-0 on Sunday afternoon. The Hilltopper defense faced 19 Falcon shot attempts, including nine shot-on-goal attempts, but the lone goal of the game was scored by way of a penalty kick in the opening minutes of the second half.
 
QUICK DETAILS
Final Score: West Liberty 0, Fairmont State 1
Team Records: West Liberty 0-2-1 (0-1-0 MEC), Fairmont State 2-1-0 (1-0-0 MEC)
Attendance: 120
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• West Liberty's best scoring opportunity and only shot-on-goal in the first half came in the 23^rd minute as WLU threatened with a two-on-one breakaway. After the Fairmont State's defender misplayed the long pass, Maya Taggart collected the ball and placed a shot-on-goal against a charging goalkeeper.
• Following a scoreless first half Fairmont State scored the lone goal of the match in the 46^th minute. The Falcon's Serenity Thomas was able to take the ball away and start a breakaway for the goal before getting tripped and fouled in the box. Ava Behr was then able to place the ensuing penalty kick into the right side of the net to take the 1-0 lead.
• The second and final shot-on-goal of the game for the Black & Gold came in the 54^th minute, when Morgan Kost fielded a pass in the middle and the field and placed a shot low and toward the middle of the net.
• Fairmont State held the advantage in shots (19-3), shots-on-goal (9-2), and corner kicks (5-3).

WEST LIBERTY STATISTICAL LEADERS
Maya Taggart: 2 shots, 1 shot-on-goal
Morgan Kost: 1 shot, 1 shot-on-goal
Zara Wickert: 8 saves
 
UP NEXT
West Liberty will return to the hilltop for their first home MEC match-up on Wednesday evening, hosting Notre Dame. The Hilltoppers and Falcons are set for a 6 p.m. kick-off at the West Family Athletic Complex.