WEST LIBERTY, W.Va. — West Liberty remained unbeaten Wednesday night as the Hilltoppers held off Point Park, 3-2, to improve to 3-0-0 overall and 1-0-0 in Mountain East Conference play.
West Liberty scored twice in the first half and added the eventual game-winning goal early in the second half. Point Park held a 10-9 advantage in shots and a 5-4 edge in shots on goal, but the Hilltoppers converted three of their four shots on target.
Brian Russell put West Liberty on the scoreboard first at 8:01, finding the back of the net off an assist from
Tresz McLeod for a 1-0 lead.
Point Park answered less than four minutes later when Hector Moreno scored at 12:05 off an assist from Gijs Van den Berg to even the match at 1-1.
The Hilltoppers regained the lead in the 34th minute when
Leyton Collier scored off an assist from
Leandre Tyssandier, sending West Liberty into halftime with a 2-1 advantage.
West Liberty continued to pressure the Point Park defense late in the half. Collier fired a shot wide in the 41st minute before
Ethan Nethery forced a save from Point Park goalkeeper Anthony Fusay in the 44th minute. The Hilltoppers also earned a corner kick just before halftime.
Point Park tied the match early in the second half when Lander Barrio Gonzalez scored off an assist at 50:47.
The Hilltoppers quickly answered.
Alec Aceves put West Liberty back in front at 62:00, finishing a pass from
Kevin Teather for a 3-2 lead. Aceves scored on his only shot of the night and was credited with the game-winning goal.
West Liberty continued to create opportunities, earning corner kicks in the 52nd and 55th minutes before Aceves' go-ahead goal. Point Park applied pressure down the stretch, but Hilltopper goalkeeper
Shai'ya Fitzgerald came up with saves in the 57th and 74th minutes to preserve the lead.
The final minutes brought additional pressure from Point Park, including corner kicks in the 82nd and 85th minutes. West Liberty also played a man down after Collier received a red card at 88:17, but the Hilltoppers held firm to secure the 3-2 victory.
Russell finished with two shots, including one on goal, while Collier recorded one goal on two shots with one attempt on target. Fitzgerald played all 90 minutes in goal and made three saves.
West Liberty returns to action Sunday when the Hilltoppers visit Wheeling for a 7 p.m. MEC matchup.
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.
