Elkins, W.Va. – After defeating the Pioneers of Glenville State earlier in the week, the Golden Eagles hit the road again for another crucial MEC matchup, this time against the Davis & Elkins Senators.
The Basics
- Location: Nuttall Field
- Final Score: UC 2, D&E 0
- Records: Charleston (8-6-3, 7-4-3 MEC), Davis & Elkins (1-10-5, 1-9-4 MEC)
How It Happened
The match opened with Davis & Elkins putting early pressure on the Golden Eagles' back line. Within the first 10 minutes, UC goalkeeper Ines Degli Esposti was called into action twice, making key saves to keep the Senators off the board. Despite a few substitutions, Charleston struggled to gain control or create meaningful chances in the first half. Linsey Hackney registered UC's third shot in the 42nd minute, but none of the Golden Eagles' attempts found the target. Davis & Elkins recorded eight first-half shots, forcing Degli Esposti to make four saves as the teams went into halftime scoreless.
Charleston came out with renewed energy in the second half, determined to take control. The breakthrough came in the 58th minute, when a long cross led to a miscommunication between two D&E defenders. Zailee Roberts pounced on the loose ball and fired a powerful left-footed strike from outside the box, tucking it inside the side netting for her first goal of the season. Just five minutes later, the Golden Eagles doubled their lead. After a cross from Allison Freese, Anna Gregor collected the ball inside the box, battled through a rebound off a defender, and calmly slotted home with her left foot to make it 2–0. Charleston's defense remained rock solid for the rest of the match, holding Davis & Elkins to a single shot on target in the second half.
With the win, UC improves to 8-6-3 overall and 7-4-3 in MEC play, officially clinching a spot in the MEC Playoffs.
Up Next
UC will finish their regular season with a matchup against top seed West Virginia State University on Wednesday, November 5 at 6:00PM in Institute.
