INSTITUTE, W.Va. — West Virginia State University continued its mastery on home turf Sunday afternoon, defeating West Liberty 1–0 in the Mountain East Conference Quarterfinal at Lakin-Ray Field at Dickerson Stadium. The win sends the Yellow Jackets to Wednesday's semifinal matchup against the University of Charleston.

After a scoreless first half despite an 8–1 shot margin, Leila Karam finally broke through in the 56th minute. Sharon Freire Omonigho dispossessed a Hilltopper defender near the top of the box and slipped a pass to Karam, who took two touches and buried her 11th goal of the season into the bottom-left corner. The assist marked Omonigho's fourth of the year.

In the 70th minute, Laura Pouedras served a dangerous corner that found Hannah Aneley Nuñez Perreira in front of goal, but a Hilltopper defender made a goalline clearance to keep it a one-goal match. The rebound fell to Ece Lea Evin, whose first shot was blocked and second effort sailed just over the crossbar.

State commanded 60 percent of possession and spent the bulk of the match in attacking areas, logging 33 percent of its time in the final third and another 38 percent in the attacking midfield. The Jackets outshot West Liberty 32–3, held a 12–0 edge in corner kicks, and allowed only seven percent of their total time in the defensive third.

Goalkeeper Poppy Bastock made two saves to record her sixth shutout of the season.

With the win, West Virginia State improves to 15–3–1 overall, while West Liberty finishes its season at 4-14-1.

The Yellow Jackets will host Charleston (9–7–3) in the MEC Semifinals on Wednesday at 6 p.m. at Lakin-Ray Field at Dickerson Stadium in Institute.