Game 1
Pittsburgh, PA – The Golden Eagles traveled to Pittsburgh for a matchup against MEC opponent Point Park University.
The Basics
- Location: Highmark Stadium
- Final Score: UC 15, PPU 6
- Records: Charleston (7-5, 3-1 MEC), Point Park (3-7, 1-3 MEC)
How It Happened
Madelyn Hillman opened the game by winning the draw control, and Madison Partridge put Charleston on the board just 40 seconds later. The Golden Eagles' defense set the tone early, holding Point Park without a shot for the first five minutes while Megan Liston made a key save on their first attempt.
Charleston's offense quickly found its rhythm. Goals from Alyse Weber, Darby Stolz, Elise Collins, and Emilee Franklin fueled a dominant first quarter, giving UC a 6-0 lead.
The Golden Eagles carried that momentum into the second quarter. Sylvi Jenner extended the lead to 7-0 before Point Park got on the board. Despite a green card against UC, Charleston responded with back-to-back goals from Stolz and Partridge. Weber, Partridge, and Jenner each added goals late in the half, sending UC into halftime with a commanding 12-1 advantage.
The third quarter proved to be the most competitive. Ella Creagh scored early for Charleston, but Point Park answered with two quick goals. Weber added her fourth goal of the game to close out the quarter, which also featured several turnovers from both teams.
In the fourth, Rachel Pongonis entered in goal for UC. Point Park opened the scoring with a free-position goal, but Stolz answered off an assist from Hayden Slinkard. The Pioneers added two late goals, but Charleston secured a 15-6 victory.
Game 2
Charleston, WV – The Golden Eagles returned home Saturday to face Davis & Elkins at the Welch Athletic Complex.
The Basics
- Location: Welch Athletic Complex
- Final Score: UC 16, D&E 7
- Records: Charleston (8-5, 4-1 MEC), Davis & Elkins (8-4, 2-3 MEC)
How It Happened
Davis & Elkins came out fast, scoring just 10 seconds into the game after winning the opening draw. They added another goal two minutes later to take an early 2-0 lead.
Following a timeout by head coach Ryland Luciano, Charleston settled in. Darby Stolz sparked the offense with two goals, and Sylvi Jenner followed with two of her own to give UC a 4-2 lead by the end of the first quarter.
The second quarter began as a defensive battle, with both teams trading stops. Jenner broke the scoring drought with 8:13 remaining, and Stolz and Mahlina McFadden extended the lead to 7-2. After a Davis & Elkins goal, Madison Partridge responded with a goal off an assist from Hayden Slinkard, making it 8-3 at halftime.
Davis & Elkins struck early in the third, but Charleston capitalized on penalties. Partridge scored a man-up goal following a yellow card, and Elise Collins added another during a green-card advantage. The teams traded goals late in the quarter, with Partridge and Stolz helping UC build a 12-5 lead heading into the fourth.
The Senators scored early in the final quarter, but Charleston quickly pulled away. Over a three-minute stretch, Slinkard (2 goals), Jenner, and Partridge combined for four unanswered goals. Davis & Elkins added a late goal, but the Golden Eagles closed out a 16-7 win.
Slinkard played a pivotal role in Charleston's offensive success, finishing the game with seven assists.
Up next: Charleston remains at the Welch Athletic Complex to face Frostburg State University on Thursday, April 9 at 4 p.m.
