No. 12 WVU women’s soccer falls to UCF, 1-0
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MORGANTOWN – The No. 12 West Virginia women's soccer team outshot UCF 14-3, including a 10-0 advantage in the second half, but the Knights made one first-half goal stand for a 1-0 victory after a 40-minute lightning delay on Friday afternoon in Morgantown.
UCF's Naomi Clark scored in the 25th minute, finishing a combination with Gabi Berchon at the top of the box. Clark sent a right-footed shot into the upper-right corner, beating WVU goalkeeper Bailey Herfurth. A video review followed, but the goal was allowed to stand.
"With Clark on their team, it only takes one chance, and she took it," WVU head coach Nikki Izzo-Brown said. "They capitalized on our mistake, and that's what makes the difference in a 1-0 game. I thought we battled in the second half; unfortunately, we couldn't find the back of the net."
The Mountaineers had opportunities before and after the break but could not find the equalizer.
West Virginia's Alexis Pashales put a shot on target in the 29th minute, but UCF goalkeeper Kaina Cesar made the save. Cesar denied Tyler Clyburn late in the first half, keeping the Knights in front at the break.
WVU came out looking for an answer in the second half. Saige Wimes had a shot blocked in the 48th minute, and Abbey Olexa's follow-up attempt missed the target. Olexa had another shot blocked three minutes later.
Jordyn Wilson tested Cesar in the 62nd minute, and the Mountaineers continued to press. Pashales missed the target in the 66th minute before Wilson forced another save.
UCF tightened defensively over the next 15 minutes, limiting West Virginia's opportunities as the Mountaineers struggled to break through.
Pashales put another shot on target in the 84th minute, but Cesar was there again. Olivia Shertzer missed the target a minute later, and Cesar made her final major save on Anna Hauer in the 87th.
Mia Paugh's attempt in the final minute sailed wide, sealing the result for the Knights.
West Virginia finished with a commanding 14-3 advantage in shots and put six attempts on target. UCF managed just one shot on goal with Clark's first-half winner.
The Mountaineers also held a 4-1 advantage in corner kicks but could not turn their pressure into a goal. Cesar finished with six saves to earn the shutout.
Pashales led WVU with three shots, including two on target, after entering as a substitute. UCF was called for seven fouls, compared with three for West Virginia, and was flagged for offside four times.