West Liberty, W.Va. – Following a scoreless first half of play, the West Liberty men's soccer team kept the pressure on and scored a trio of goals in a span of less than ten minutes to down California (PA) 3-0 in non-conference play on Wednesday evening. The win pushes the Hilltoppers to their best start to a season since the program was reinstated in 2018.
 
QUICK DETAILS
Final Score: West Liberty 3, California (PA) 0
Team Records: West Liberty 2-1-1 (1-1-1 MEC), California (PA) 1-3-1 (0-0-0 PSAC)
Attendance: 90
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• Mark Donnelly put the first goal on the scoreboard for West Liberty in the 68^th minute, scoring on a penalty kick following a California (PA) foul.
• With a shot towards the left side of the goal going into the net off a Vulcan defender, Vitor Otsuka pushed the WLU lead to 2-0 in the 75^th minute.
• It only took 32 seconds for the Hilltoppers to add their third goal, with Danilo Tavares placing the ball past the right side of the Cal goalkeeper for his first goal of the season.
• West Liberty held the advantage in shots (11-2), shots-on-goal (7-2), and corner kicks (9-3). California held the edge in saves (4-2).
• Noah Underwood recorded his second shutout win of the season, only having to make two saves as the West Liberty attackers controlled the game.

WEST LIBERTY STATISTICAL LEADERS
Mark Donnelly: 2 shots, 2 shots-on-goal, 1 goal
Vitor Otsuka: 1 shot, 1 shot-on-goal, 1 goal
Danilo Tavares: 3 shots, 1 shot-on-goal, 1 goal
Noah Underwood: 2 saves
 
UP NEXT
West Liberty will continue non-conference play this weekend as Salem visits the hilltop for a Sunday afternoon match. The Hilltoppers and Tigers are scheduled for a 1 p.m. kick-off at the West Family Athletic Complex.