Thursday, August 13
Morgantown, W.Va.
7 p.m.
West Virginia University
1-0-0, 0-0-0
2
vs
0
Dayton
0-1-0, 0-0-0
| Team | 1 | 2 | Final F |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dayton | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| West Virginia | 0 | 2 | 2 |
Mountaineers Top Dayton in Season Opener
August 13, 2026 10:35 PM | Women's Soccer
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – The No. 20-ranked West Virginia University women's soccer team earned a 2-0 win over Dayton inside Dick Dlesk Soccer Stadium in Morgantown on Thursday night.
In the first match of the Mountaineers' 30-year anniversary campaign, WVU tallied a pair of goals in the second half to earn the season-opening victory. West Virginia is now 15-12-4 in season openers, as it has won two of its last three season-opening matches.
After a scoreless first half, junior forward Sophia Nickel found the breakthrough in the first minute of the second half, putting West Virginia on the board at the 45:54 mark. The score marked her first of the season and second of her career. Senior midfielder Maya Leoni was credited with the assist on the score.
The Mountaineers were able to double their lead just over 15 minutes later when a Dayton clearance went awry and into the net for an own goal in the 63rd minute. The score stood from there as West Virginia secured the season-opening victory.
In the final box score, West Virginia led in every category, including 11-5 in shots, 2-1 in shots on goal and 3-1 in corner kicks. Redshirt senior goalkeeper Bailey Herfurth and the WVU defense completed the shutout, holding the Flyers to just one shot on goal.
Of note, redshirt senior Alexis Pashales and freshmen Maria Delyannis, Alina Gnädig and Hannah Heimuli earned their first career action as Mountaineers on Thursday, while Delyannis earned her first career start.
Up next, West Virginia welcomes Penn State to Morgantown for the first time since 2023 on Thursday, Aug. 20. Kickoff at Dick Dlesk Soccer Stadium is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET, and it's the first of many 30-year celebrations as WVU hosts a Duel at Dlesk.
For more information on the Mountaineers, follow @WVUWomensSoccer on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
In the first match of the Mountaineers' 30-year anniversary campaign, WVU tallied a pair of goals in the second half to earn the season-opening victory. West Virginia is now 15-12-4 in season openers, as it has won two of its last three season-opening matches.
After a scoreless first half, junior forward Sophia Nickel found the breakthrough in the first minute of the second half, putting West Virginia on the board at the 45:54 mark. The score marked her first of the season and second of her career. Senior midfielder Maya Leoni was credited with the assist on the score.
The Mountaineers were able to double their lead just over 15 minutes later when a Dayton clearance went awry and into the net for an own goal in the 63rd minute. The score stood from there as West Virginia secured the season-opening victory.
In the final box score, West Virginia led in every category, including 11-5 in shots, 2-1 in shots on goal and 3-1 in corner kicks. Redshirt senior goalkeeper Bailey Herfurth and the WVU defense completed the shutout, holding the Flyers to just one shot on goal.
Of note, redshirt senior Alexis Pashales and freshmen Maria Delyannis, Alina Gnädig and Hannah Heimuli earned their first career action as Mountaineers on Thursday, while Delyannis earned her first career start.
Up next, West Virginia welcomes Penn State to Morgantown for the first time since 2023 on Thursday, Aug. 20. Kickoff at Dick Dlesk Soccer Stadium is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET, and it's the first of many 30-year celebrations as WVU hosts a Duel at Dlesk.
For more information on the Mountaineers, follow @WVUWomensSoccer on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
Players Mentioned
F
/ Women's Soccer
MF
/ Women's Soccer
GK
/ Women's Soccer
MF
/ Women's Soccer
F/D
/ Women's Soccer
MF
/ Women's SoccerTeam Stats
DAY
WVU
Goals
0
2
Shots
5
11
Shots on Goal
1
2
Saves
1
1
Corners
1
3
Fouls
10
9
Scoring Plays
Sophia Nickel (1)
Assisted By: Maya Leoni
GOAL by WVU Nickel, Sophia Assist by Leoni, Maya.
45:54
0
GOAL by WVU TEAM.
62:47
Game Leaders
Shots
1
SOG
1
Goals
1
Assists
0
mid
Shots
0
SOG
0
Goals
0
Assists
1
fwd
Shots
3
SOG
1
Goals
0
Assists
0
Shots
2
SOG
0
Goals
0
Assists
0
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