CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. — In a tight game that saw West Virginia and Central Connecticut State go into two overtimes, Alina Stahl saved the day for the Mountaineers.
In the 105th minute, the leading scorer netted the game-winning goal off an assist by Lizzie Mayfield to push the Mountaineers (12-7-2) into the Sweet 16.
“Central Connecticut deserved to be here. They are a tough opponent, but we found a way to win the game,” WVU coach Nikki Izzo-Brown said. “This team is a determined bunch that believes in each other and wants to win. Nobody gave up, nobody quit. We have a gritty team. It’s one of the grittiest teams that I’ve ever coached.”
After battling through 90 minutes that saw 20 shots — 12 coming from WVU — and nine shots on goal — five by CCSU — the two teams headed into overtime.
Neither team could generate much action on the net in the first extra-10 minutes. West Virginia came close, as Addison Clark put the only shot on goal 43 seconds after a corner kick.
The second overtime seemed as if it would go the same way, but two minutes after substituting in for Enzi Broussard, Mayfield’s assist following a Mountaineers’ corner kick was prime for Stahl’s goal.
The goal brings Stahl’s season total to eight and her postseason total to three. Further, the shutout marks goalkeeper Rylee Foster’s ninth of the season.
In total the Mountaineers had the edge in corners (6-1), shots (14-9) and shots on goal (6-5).
West Virginia is now slated to face Washington State in Charlottesville Sunday at 5 p.m. after the Cougars (14-6-1) upset No. 1-seed Virginia, 3-2.
