INSTITUTE, W.Va. — West Virginia State turned in another strong defensive effort Wednesday night, defeating Davis & Elkins 1-0 at Lakin-Ray Field at Dickerson Stadium.

The Yellow Jackets dictated play from the start, finishing with a 14-4 edge in shots and an 8-1 margin in corner kicks. After a scoreless first half, the breakthrough came in the 74th minute. Maria Alejandra Hernandez Diaz was fouled just outside the box, drawing a yellow card on D&E's Manuella Silva Cogliatti. On the ensuing free kick, Laura Pouedras drilled a shot into the bottom left corner for the decisive goal. Before play could resume, Sara París Fílter was shown a red card, forcing WVSU to close the final 17 minutes down a player.

Poppy Bastock recorded her third consecutive clean sheet and has now gone 320:59 without conceding a goal. The only score she has allowed in Mountain East Conference play came on a penalty kick at 39:01 of the Glenville State match. The Senators were held without a shot on goal as Bastock and the back line earned their fourth conference win.

The victory moves WVSU to 4-2 overall and 4-0 in MEC play, while Davis & Elkins fell to 0-4-2, 0-3-1 MEC. The Jackets have now won nine straight MEC matches, a streak dating back to October 27, 2024, when they dropped a 4-3 decision at Concord. Fittingly, State's next test comes Sunday in Athens against those same Mountain Lions.