TEMPE, Ariz. (Sept. 26, 2024) – Behind a pair of first half, set-piece goals, the West Virginia University women’s soccer team remained undefeated in Big 12 Conference play and earned a 2-1 victory over Arizona State at Sun Devil Soccer Stadium in Tempe, Arizona, on Thursday night.
Moving to 4-0 in league play for the first time since 2016, the Mountaineers (8-2-1, 4-0 Big 12) used corner-kick opportunities to their advantage to tally the win. Senior defender Annika Leslie took both corners and found teammates Gianna Koss and Ajanae Respass in the box for the set-piece scores. Respass scored the second goal, which was credited as the eventual game winner, her third of the season.
Playing in the Arizona heat for the first time in program history, West Virginia came out aggressively and pushed the pace against a strong Sun Devil attack. On its first corner kick of the match in the 12th minute, Leslie squared up and sent a great ball in right into the center of the box. As the ASU keeper misplayed it, Koss got a foot on it to send it in for the early WVU lead. However, Arizona State responded immediately, tying it up just seconds after the ensuing kickoff.
From there, the Mountaineer offense kept pushing, sending seven shots toward the goal and placing four of them on frame. The squad finally got a second tally on another Leslie corner kick in the 34th minute. This time it was Respass’ head that connected with the service to give West Virginia a 2-1 lead into the half.
Out of the break, WVU’s offense continued to look lethal as it took nine shots in the second half. Although the Mountaineer attack was unable to find an insurance goal, the West Virginia defense was able to hold ASU to just one shot in the second half, which was saved by redshirt sophomore goalkeeper Mackenzie Smith to give WVU the impressive road victory.
In the final box score, West Virginia dominated every category, including 19-5 in shots and 8-3 in shots on goal. The Mountaineers took 11 corner kicks, compared to just two for the Sun Devils. In addition to Koss’ and Respass’ goals, sophomore forward Jordyn Wilson also led the way with four shots on the night.
Of note, Leslie became the third different Mountaineer to tally two assists in a match this season, as she is now tied for second on the team with three on the year. In the first-ever meeting between the two teams, WVU moves to 1-0 against the Sun Devils.
Next up, West Virginia caps its two-game swing through Arizona on Sunday, Sept. 29, when it travels to Tucson to take on the Wildcats. Kickoff at Arizona’s Murphey Field at Mulcahy Stadium is tabbed for 2:30 p.m. ET/11:30 a.m. MST.
For more information on the Mountaineers, follow @WVUWomensSoccer on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
Moving to 4-0 in league play for the first time since 2016, the Mountaineers (8-2-1, 4-0 Big 12) used corner-kick opportunities to their advantage to tally the win. Senior defender Annika Leslie took both corners and found teammates Gianna Koss and Ajanae Respass in the box for the set-piece scores. Respass scored the second goal, which was credited as the eventual game winner, her third of the season.
Playing in the Arizona heat for the first time in program history, West Virginia came out aggressively and pushed the pace against a strong Sun Devil attack. On its first corner kick of the match in the 12th minute, Leslie squared up and sent a great ball in right into the center of the box. As the ASU keeper misplayed it, Koss got a foot on it to send it in for the early WVU lead. However, Arizona State responded immediately, tying it up just seconds after the ensuing kickoff.
From there, the Mountaineer offense kept pushing, sending seven shots toward the goal and placing four of them on frame. The squad finally got a second tally on another Leslie corner kick in the 34th minute. This time it was Respass’ head that connected with the service to give West Virginia a 2-1 lead into the half.
Out of the break, WVU’s offense continued to look lethal as it took nine shots in the second half. Although the Mountaineer attack was unable to find an insurance goal, the West Virginia defense was able to hold ASU to just one shot in the second half, which was saved by redshirt sophomore goalkeeper Mackenzie Smith to give WVU the impressive road victory.
In the final box score, West Virginia dominated every category, including 19-5 in shots and 8-3 in shots on goal. The Mountaineers took 11 corner kicks, compared to just two for the Sun Devils. In addition to Koss’ and Respass’ goals, sophomore forward Jordyn Wilson also led the way with four shots on the night.
Of note, Leslie became the third different Mountaineer to tally two assists in a match this season, as she is now tied for second on the team with three on the year. In the first-ever meeting between the two teams, WVU moves to 1-0 against the Sun Devils.
Next up, West Virginia caps its two-game swing through Arizona on Sunday, Sept. 29, when it travels to Tucson to take on the Wildcats. Kickoff at Arizona’s Murphey Field at Mulcahy Stadium is tabbed for 2:30 p.m. ET/11:30 a.m. MST.
For more information on the Mountaineers, follow @WVUWomensSoccer on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
