WEST LIBERTY, W.Va. — The West Liberty University men's soccer team faces a challenging Mountain East Conference road test Sunday, traveling to Elkins to take on No. 11 Davis & Elkins at 4 p.m. at Nuttall Field. The Hilltoppers and Senators are both ranked in the latest United Soccer Coaches NCAA Division II Atlantic Region poll, with West Liberty at No. 10 and Davis & Elkins at No. 2.

West Liberty enters the matchup at 6-5-2 overall and 4-5-1 in conference play after playing Frostburg State to a 1-1 draw Wednesday at the West Family Athletic Complex. The Hilltoppers opened the scoring through Ethan Nethery, who finished a Kevin Teather assist in the fifth minute, before Frostburg State equalized later in the first half. West Liberty outshot the Bobcats 8-6, including a 5-1 advantage after halftime, but neither team found a winning goal.

Davis & Elkins brings a 10-1-1 overall record and an 8-1-1 mark in MEC play into Sunday's contest. The Senators have won two straight matches, including a 3-1 victory at Wheeling on Wednesday. Davis & Elkins has been one of the conference's most productive teams, scoring 24 goals while allowing just eight through 12 matches. The Senators rank second in the MEC in scoring at two goals per game and have limited opponents to 0.67 goals per contest.

The Hilltoppers will look to generate opportunities through an attack led by Leyton Collier, who tops the team with 32 shots and 20 shots on goal. West Liberty has scored 21 goals this season and will face a Davis & Elkins defense anchored by goalkeeper Charlie Phillips, who has posted five shutouts and a 0.68 goals-against average. Shai'ya Fitzgerald remains a key presence for the Hilltoppers, recording 49 saves and a 1.10 goals-against average.

Davis & Elkins features a dangerous offensive group led by Johan Magana, who has scored six goals and totaled 14 points. Benjamin Luengo has added five goals, while Hugo Fauli leads the Senators with seven assists. The Hilltoppers will need to stay organized defensively while making the most of their chances against a team that has allowed fewer than one goal per game.

The Senators won the first meeting between the teams, 2-0, on Sept. 20 in West Liberty. The Hilltoppers will look to reverse that result Sunday while picking up valuable conference points against one of the Atlantic Region's top-ranked programs. West Liberty continues its road swing Wednesday with a matchup against Point Park in Pittsburgh, with kickoff scheduled for 7:30 p.m.


West Liberty University blends a small-town environment with a comprehensive college experience, fostering students' aspirations through hands-on learning, personalized support, and unique academic programs at both undergraduate and graduate levels. Learn more at westliberty.edu.