WEST LIBERTY, W.Va. — The West Liberty University men's soccer team battled No. 19 Concord University to the final whistle Wednesday before dropping a 1-0 Mountain East Conference decision at the West Family Athletic Complex.
The Hilltoppers fall to 5-5-1 overall and 3-5 in MEC play, while Concord improves to 9-1-2 overall and 8-1 in conference action.
Concord's Josiah Ochoa scored the game's only goal at the 20:06 mark of the first half, but the Hilltoppers' defense kept the Mountain Lions off the scoreboard the rest of the way. West Liberty limited Concord to just one shot after halftime while generating all eight of its shots in the second half.
The Hilltoppers finished with an 8-6 edge in total shots and put six attempts on goal compared to four for Concord. Mountain Lions goalkeeper Iori Tanaka made six saves to preserve the shutout, while West Liberty goalkeeper
Shai'ya Fitzgerald recorded three saves.
West Liberty began to apply more pressure after halftime, putting together a 13-minute stretch that included three shots and a corner kick while searching for the equalizer. The Hilltoppers continued to push late, recording three shots and two corner kicks during a four-minute stretch from 84:52 to 88:44.
Tanaka turned aside shots from
Julius Aschmann,
Leyton Collier and
Leandre Tyssandier during the late surge, while Fitzgerald made her third save of the night in the 83rd minute to keep Concord from adding to its lead.
Collier led the Hilltoppers with three shots, including two on goal, while Aschmann put both of his attempts on frame. Fitzgerald played all 90 minutes in goal for West Liberty.
West Liberty returns to action Sunday, traveling to West Virginia Wesleyan for a 3:30 p.m. MEC matchup in Buckhannon.
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.
