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West Liberty, W.Va. – This Wednesday evening at 6 p.m., the West Liberty University women’s soccer team will take on the Point Park Pioneers at the picturesque West Family Athletic Complex. Riding high from an impressive 7-0 victory on senior day against Salem, the Hilltoppers have moved their overall record to 4-9-2, including a 2-7-2 mark in Mountain East Conference action. Conversely, the Pioneers are currently struggling with a record of 2-8-5 overall and 1-7-4 in the MEC. This matchup marks the second encounter between the two teams this season; their first meeting on September 21 at Highmark Stadium in Pittsburgh ended in a hard-fought 1-1 draw, with Maya Taggart netting the lone goal for the Hilltoppers. Notably, the Pioneers’ road performance has been challenging, securing just a 1-5-2 record outside their home turf this season.
Game Details:
Point Park vs West Liberty
Wednesday, 6 p.m.
West Family Athletic Complex
PPU: 2-8-5, 1-7-4
WLU: 4-9-2, 2-7-2
Topper Leaders:
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Goals: Ellie Cunningham leads with 8, Mia Zecca follows closely with 7, while Morgan Kost contributes 5 goals to the tally. Isabella Aperfine and Asia Espiritu add 4 and 3 goals respectively, with Rylyn Bielinski contributing 2 goals this season.
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Assists: Morgan Kost leads the team with 5 assists, closely pursued by Mia Zecca with 4. Maya Taggart also shows her playmaking ability with 3 assists, and Rileigh Gualtiere further supports the offense with 2 assists.
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Shots on goal: The top three shooters on the team include Morgan Kost, who has taken 19 shots on goal, followed by Mia Zecca with 17, and Ellie Cunningham with 13, showcasing their offensive prowess.
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Saves: Cianna Butera has been a stalwart in goal, recording a remarkable total of 77 saves throughout the season, demonstrating her skills and commitment to the team’s defensive efforts.
Up Next:
Following the match against Point Park, the Hilltoppers will hit the road to take on Frostburg State this Saturday at 2 p.m. They will conclude their regular season by hosting Wheeling on Wednesday, November 6, at 7:30 p.m. at the West Family Athletic Complex, in what promises to be an exciting finish to the season.
**Interview with Coach Emily Stone of the West Liberty University Women’s Soccer Team**
**Editor:** Thank you for joining us today, Coach Stone. This Wednesday, the Hilltoppers are set to face off against the Point Park Pioneers. How are the players feeling after that impressive 7-0 victory against Salem on senior day?
**Coach Stone:** Thank you for having me! The team is really riding high from that win. It was a great way to honor our seniors and boost our confidence. The players are eager to keep that momentum going into our matchup against Point Park.
**Editor:** Speaking of Point Park, it’s the second meeting between the two teams this season. The first match ended in a 1-1 draw. What are you expecting this time around, and how do you think the previous match impacts the team’s approach?
**Coach Stone:** Every match is different, but we learned a lot from the last encounter. Our goal is to capitalize on our scoring opportunities and tighten up our defense. We’ll review our strategies and make adjustments based on what we faced earlier in the season.
**Editor:** With an overall record of 4-9-2, how important is this game for the team as you approach the end of the regular season?
**Coach Stone:** It’s very important. We want to build on our recent success and aim for a strong finish in the conference. Every game is crucial for our confidence and positioning, especially with how tightly contested the MEC is.
**Editor:** Your top scorers, Ellie Cunningham and Mia Zecca, have been instrumental this season. How vital are their contributions as you prepare for this match?
**Coach Stone:** They’re incredibly vital. Their ability to find the back of the net brings a lot of energy to the team. We’re also working on getting everyone involved in the attack, which can make us more unpredictable for the opposition.
**Editor:** what message do you have for the fans as they prepare to support the team this Wednesday at the West Family Athletic Complex?
**Coach Stone:** We love our fans and appreciate their support! Come out this Wednesday at 6 p.m.; your energy makes a huge difference for our players on the field. We want to put on a great show and continue building our home-field advantage!
**Editor:** Thank you, Coach Stone. Best of luck in the game against Point Park!
**Coach Stone:** Thank you very much! We’re looking forward to it!
