West Virginia State University Athletics

By: James Garcia, Sports Information Director

URBANA, Ohio – The West Virginia State University women's soccer team made history by defeating Urbana 3-2 in the program's first-ever competitive fixture on Sunday afternoon. The match was tied 2-2 from the start of the second half until junior Maria Barbosa (Bucaramanga, Colombia) scored the game-winning goal with 17-seconds remaining on the clock.

The Yellow Jackets improve to 1-0 on the season with the win.

Junior Megan Maslak (Deal, England) scored twice in the contest. Barbosa added the game-winner for her lone goal. Junior Brooklyn Pritt (Charleston, W.Va.) and junior Jessica Moreira (Minas Gerais, Brazil) each contributed an assist to the winning effort.

The first half was transitional throughout with both teams finding themselves switching from attacking to defending and defending to attacking often. This was expected as both squads were facing outside competition for the first time this season.  

Maslak opened the scoring midway through the first half with a composed finish. Pritt cut inside of a defender and delivered the through ball that Maslak then slotted into the back of the net.

Shortly after the first goal, Maslak scored again with a chip over the opposing keeper to put WVSU up 2-0. On this successful attempt, it was Moreira that provided the through ball to the clinical finisher.

The Blue Knights answered back with two goals of their own before halftime to tie the match at 2-2. Both scores came off free kicks. One was scored off a direct free kick and the other came from a set piece in which an opponent got on the end of a header.

The Yellow Jackets settled in the second half and controlled possession as planned. They took an abundance of chances, but were unable to convert until the closing moments of the game.

With 30 seconds and counting on the clock, West Virginia State lined up to take a corner. The ball was delivered and bounced just in front of the six-yard box when none of the players on either side managed to get their heads on the end of it. Then, with 17-seconds showing on the scoreboard, Barbosa seized the opportunity of a loose ball and struck a screamer past the keeper to earn the program's first win.

The result would have been more decisive if three goals by the Yellow Jackets were not disallowed by offside calls. Additionally, there were plenty of cards shown to both sides as the match turned out to be a physical one.

Alyssa Garberich and Kristen Dickison were the goal-scorers for UU.

West Virginia State travels to Davis & Elkins next on Saturday, Aug. 31 for a 1 p.m. matchup.