MORGANTOWN, W.Va. (Oct. 8, 2023) – A 68th minute goal from sophomore forward Taylor White lifted the West Virginia University women’s soccer team to a 1-0 win over Oklahoma State at Dick Dlesk Soccer Stadium in Morgantown on Sunday afternoon.
The two teams played in a scoreless tie for most of the match, but WVU (5-7-3, 3-3-1 Big 12) took control of the second half to dominate possession. White’s team-leading eighth goal of the season became the difference to give the Mountaineers the victory. Senior midfielder AJ Rodriguez gained possession of the ball just over midfield and sent it forward to find White waiting in the box. The Cincinnati, Ohio, native flicked it out of the OSU keeper’s reach and into the net for the score. The game winner marked White’s second in as many games.
Fifth-year senior goalkeeper Kayza Massey and the Mountaineer defense also had an impressive game. Although Massey only recorded a pair of saves, she was integral in minimizing Oklahoma State chances by intercepting several of the Cowgirls’ crosses and corner kicks. The WVU back line held OSU to just three shots on goal, and fifth-year senior defender Julianne Vallerand recorded a huge team save to help salvage the shutout. The clean sheet marked the squad’s seventh of the season, as well as sixth at home.
White paced the offense with the goal and a pair of shots, while forwards Dilary Heredia-Beltran and Jordyn Wilson added three shots apiece. West Virginia outshot Oklahoma State 12-6, including 7-3 in shots on goal. The Cowgirls earned eight corner kicks on the afternoon, compared to four for the Mountaineers.
With the victory, WVU moves to 11-3-1 all-time against the Cowgirls, including 5-2 in games played in Morgantown.
The Mountaineers now prepare for their final road trip of the regular season with a two-game swing through Kansas. The trip begins in Manhattan, as WVU takes on Kansas State on Thursday, Oct. 12. Kickoff at Buser Family Park is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET.
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