Thursday, August 20
Morgantown, W.Va.
7 p.m.
West Virginia University
2-0-0, 0-0-0
2
vs
1
No. 23 Penn State
0-1-1, 0-0-0
| Team | 1 | 2 | Final F |
|---|---|---|---|
| Penn St. | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| West Virginia | 1 | 1 | 2 |
No. 22 West Virginia Takes Down No. 23 Penn State
August 20, 2026 10:55 PM | Women's Soccer
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – For the first time since 2017, the No. 22-ranked West Virginia University women's soccer team topped No. 23 Penn State, 2-1, in front of 1,119 fans at Dick Dlesk Soccer Stadium in Morgantown on Thursday night.
The Mountaineers (2-0) earned their first win over the Nittany Lions in nine years, while it also marked the two teams' 10th meeting since West Virginia's last victory. With the victory, WVU has now beaten a top-25 opponent in 18 of the last 21 seasons, while it marked the Mountaineers' first ranked victory since topping No. 16 BYU last season.
Penn State struck first in the match, finding the breakthrough in the 11th minute. However, West Virginia took control after that behind an incredible goal from senior defender Olivia Shertzer. The Lititz, Pennsylvania, native dribbled toward midfield and sent a rocket into the back of the net from just over 30 yards out to level the score line.
The score stood at 1-1 through the break, before a defensive battle ensued in the second half as both teams fought for the go-ahead goal. It was junior forward Sophia Nickel who became the hero, as she scored her second goal in as many matches to put the Mountaineers on top. Redshirt junior forward Jordyn Wilson dribbled along the end line and fed the ball into the box to find Nickel waiting near the back post. She took a perfect one-touch into the net for the go-ahead score.
The Mountaineer defense stood strong from there, holding Penn State to just two shots following Nickel's goal to secure the ranked victory. Despite allowing the early goal, the WVU back line held Penn State to just three shots on goal during the match.
In the final stats, West Virginia edged Penn State in shots (10-7) and shots on goal (4-3), while the Nittany Lions had the advantage in corner kicks (4-1). Shertzer led the offense with the goal and three shots, while senior forward Abbey Olexa and sophomore midfielder Ava Arnold also added two shots apiece.
Of note, West Virginia is now 2-0 this season when scoring two or more goals, as the squad has now won 95 of its last 98 matches when scoring twice.
West Virginia returns to Dick Dlesk Soccer Stadium on Sunday, Aug. 23 to close out its homestand against Duquesne. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. ET, and it's the return of the fan favorite Dogs at Dlesk. Fans are encouraged to bring their dogs to enjoy an afternoon of soccer, and the first 150 fans will receive a WVU soccer pet bandana.
For more information on the Mountaineers, follow @WVUWomensSoccer on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
The Mountaineers (2-0) earned their first win over the Nittany Lions in nine years, while it also marked the two teams' 10th meeting since West Virginia's last victory. With the victory, WVU has now beaten a top-25 opponent in 18 of the last 21 seasons, while it marked the Mountaineers' first ranked victory since topping No. 16 BYU last season.
Penn State struck first in the match, finding the breakthrough in the 11th minute. However, West Virginia took control after that behind an incredible goal from senior defender Olivia Shertzer. The Lititz, Pennsylvania, native dribbled toward midfield and sent a rocket into the back of the net from just over 30 yards out to level the score line.
The score stood at 1-1 through the break, before a defensive battle ensued in the second half as both teams fought for the go-ahead goal. It was junior forward Sophia Nickel who became the hero, as she scored her second goal in as many matches to put the Mountaineers on top. Redshirt junior forward Jordyn Wilson dribbled along the end line and fed the ball into the box to find Nickel waiting near the back post. She took a perfect one-touch into the net for the go-ahead score.
The Mountaineer defense stood strong from there, holding Penn State to just two shots following Nickel's goal to secure the ranked victory. Despite allowing the early goal, the WVU back line held Penn State to just three shots on goal during the match.
In the final stats, West Virginia edged Penn State in shots (10-7) and shots on goal (4-3), while the Nittany Lions had the advantage in corner kicks (4-1). Shertzer led the offense with the goal and three shots, while senior forward Abbey Olexa and sophomore midfielder Ava Arnold also added two shots apiece.
Of note, West Virginia is now 2-0 this season when scoring two or more goals, as the squad has now won 95 of its last 98 matches when scoring twice.
West Virginia returns to Dick Dlesk Soccer Stadium on Sunday, Aug. 23 to close out its homestand against Duquesne. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. ET, and it's the return of the fan favorite Dogs at Dlesk. Fans are encouraged to bring their dogs to enjoy an afternoon of soccer, and the first 150 fans will receive a WVU soccer pet bandana.
For more information on the Mountaineers, follow @WVUWomensSoccer on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
Players Mentioned
MF
/ Women's Soccer
F/D
/ Women's Soccer
F
/ Women's Soccer
D
/ Women's Soccer
F
/ Women's SoccerTeam Stats
PSU
WVU
Goals
1
2
Shots
7
10
Shots on Goal
3
4
Saves
2
2
Corners
4
1
Fouls
7
11
Scoring Plays
Anna Babcock (1)
Assisted By: Paige Kalal
GOAL by PSU Babcock, Anna Assist by Kalal, Paige.
10:39
Olivia Shertzer (1)
GOAL by WVU Shertzer, Olivia.
33:45
Sophia Nickel (2)
Assisted By: Jordyn Wilson
GOAL by WVU Nickel, Sophia Assist by Wilson, Jordyn.
67:14
Game Leaders
Shots
3
SOG
2
Goals
1
Assists
0
Shots
1
SOG
1
Goals
1
Assists
0
Shots
1
SOG
0
Goals
0
Assists
1
fwd
Shots
2
SOG
0
Goals
0
Assists
0
Thursday, August 20
Wednesday, August 19
Thursday, August 13
Wednesday, August 12
