West Virginia’s women’s soccer squad finally broke a nine‑year winless streak against Penn State, edging the Nittany Lions 2‑1 in a tightly contested match that kept the Mountaineers’ season alive.
From the opening whistle the Mountaineers faced early pressure, but they managed to outshot Penn State 11‑7, a testament to their resilience and tactical adjustments.
Coach’s Praise
Head coach Nikki Izzo‑Brown praised the squad’s mentality, calling the performance ‘special’ and highlighting the collective determination that finally paid off.
Olivia Shertzer struck first in the 34th minute, leveling the score and marking her fourth career goal, a milestone that underscored her growing influence on the team.
Just over half an hour later, sophomore forward Sophia Nickel found the net in the 68th minute, delivering the winning goal and igniting a surge of confidence among her teammates.
The victory not only ends a long drought but also revives hopes of an NCAA tournament berth, a stage the program hasn’t visited since 2019.
Looking ahead, the Mountaineers are set to host Duquesne on August 23, a quick turnaround that will test whether the momentum can be sustained.