WEST LIBERTY, WV – West Virginia State University (WVSU) continued their strong form with a dominant 6-0 victory over West Liberty University in Mountain East Conference play at the West Family Complex on Sunday afternoon. The Yellow Jackets improved to 7-2-2 overall and 7-1-1 in conference action, while the Hilltoppers dropped to 2-7-2 overall and 1-5-2 in MEC competition.

WVSU established control early, with midfielder Ellise Rennie converting a penalty kick in the 13th minute to give the Yellow Jackets a 1-0 lead. The visitors doubled their advantage just before halftime, when forward Paula Gonzalez Castro slotted home a goal in the 42nd minute, assisted by Leila Karam, capping a dominant first half where WVSU outshot the Hilltoppers 7-4.

The second half saw the Yellow Jackets' offense explode for four more goals. Karam added her name to the scoresheet in the 65th minute with her fifth goal of the season, followed shortly by Avril Amil Ruiz, who scored in the 70th minute off a feed from Kinga Koronkiewicz. WVSU showed no signs of letting up, as Sandra Linares and Paula Herold both netted goals in the 78th and 80th minutes, respectively, to seal the rout. Both goals were assisted by Madison Fortin with Alba Closa getting the second assist on Herold's goal. Linares' goal was her team-leading eighth of the season.

The WVSU defense, anchored by goalkeeper Laura Galindo, stood firm throughout the match, limiting West Liberty to just six total shots, only three of which were on target. Galindo recorded three saves for her sixth clean sheet of the season, while WVSU's offense peppered West Liberty's goal with 20 shots, 11 on target. West Liberty's goalkeeper Cianna Butera made five saves.

West Virginia State will next host MEC North Division leader Frostburg State University on Wednesday, Oct. 16, at Lakin-Ray Field at Dickerson Stadium in Institute.