FAIRMONT, W.Va. –
Rachel Okoro scored late in the first half Sunday afternoon as the West Virginia State University women's soccer team earned a 1-1 draw against No. 16 Fairmont State University. Okoro posted two shots on the day, while
Leila Karam recorded four shots in 67 minutes of action.
Celina Seggelmann registered two saves in goal.
Seggelmann made her first save of the match in the 20th minute to keep Fairmont State off the scoreboard. A minute later, the Fighting Falcons converted off a free kick to claim a 1-0 lead. The Yellow Jackets began pressuring in the 34th minute as Okoro had a shot blocked and Karam sent an attempt high.
WVSU maintained its continuous pressure, breaking through in the 39th minute when Okoro placed a shot low and center to beat the goalkeeper and level the match at 1-1. Off the ensuing kickoff,
Hannah Aneley Nuñez Perreira forced a save from the Fighting Falcons goalkeeper before Karam sent an attempt wide left just before halftime.
Seggelmann recorded another save four minutes into the second half, following a Karam attempt that was blocked in the 48th minute. After brief pressure from Fairmont State, the Yellow Jackets resumed their attack as Karam had a shot blocked before
Kanon Tai collected the rebound and missed just left.
Neither team produced another major scoring threat until the closing minutes, when Fairmont State tallied four shots in the final five minutes—including an 88th-minute attempt that struck the crossbar and a final effort in the closing minute that missed wide right.
WVSU returns to action Wednesday night, traveling to face Point Park University. Kickoff from Pittsburgh is set for 6 p.m.
