The West Virginia University women's soccer team opened its fall campaign with a convincing 2-0 victory over Dayton, delivering the program's first win of the season and setting an upbeat tone for the months ahead.
Celebrating 30 Years of Women's Soccer
The win coincided with the 30th anniversary of the Mountaineers' women's soccer program, a milestone that added extra significance to the early-season result and was celebrated by players, coaches, and alumni alike.
Sophia Nickel struck first just 54 seconds into the match, receiving a clean pass from Maya Leoni and slotting the ball past the Dayton keeper to put West Virginia ahead.
A moment of confusion in Dayton's defensive box soon turned into an own goal, extending the Mountaineers' lead to 2-0 before the 20‑minute mark and allowing the team to settle into a comfortable rhythm.
Coach Nikki Izzo‑Brown praised the early performance but emphasized the need for improved horizontal ball movement, noting that better distribution would be essential against stronger opponents later in the schedule.
Looking forward, the Mountaineers aim to secure a shutout against Penn State, a program that missed the top 25 rankings last season and against which West Virginia has not recorded a victory since 2017.