WEST LIBERTY, W.Va. — On a dramatic Senior Day and Homecoming afternoon, senior Alex Watt delivered a storybook ending for the West Liberty University men's soccer team, scoring the game-winning goal in the 86th minute to lift the Hilltoppers to a 5–4 victory over Salem University at the West Family Athletic Complex.
In a wild, back-and-forth contest that saw the Hilltoppers play two men down due to red cards, West Liberty showed remarkable resilience, rallying from a 4–2 deficit in the second half to secure one of the most thrilling wins of the season.
Watt capped off an emotional Senior Day performance with one goal and one assist, including the decisive strike that sealed the comeback. Emil Vernhamn anchored the defense with six saves, including a clutch stop on a penalty kick early in the second half.
The Hilltoppers' offense was firing from all directions, as Jasper Newton, Leandre Tyssandier, and Sam Jones each found the back of the net. Leyton Collier added a late equalizer and an assist, contributing to a dynamic attack that saw five different Hilltoppers score.
After Salem's CJ Branch gave the Tigers an early 1–0 lead in the 20th minute, Newton equalized at 35:57, and Tyssandier put the Hilltoppers ahead just before halftime off an assist from Travis Scandalis. Despite losing Tyssandier to a red card shortly thereafter, West Liberty carried a 2–1 lead into the break.
The second half was filled with drama as Salem's Caleb Christner scored twice to swing momentum and push the Tigers ahead 4–2. But the Hilltoppers refused to fold. Jones pulled one back in the 78th minute, Collier leveled the match in the 84th off a feed from Watt, and just two minutes later, Watt netted the winner from Jones' assist — igniting the home crowd in celebration.
Despite playing short-handed, West Liberty showed grit, composure, and attacking creativity to earn the victory and improve their record heading into the final stretch of the season.
The Hilltoppers return to action on Wednesday, hosting Charleston University at 6 p.m. at the West Family Athletic Complex.
