CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. — The Mountaineers can hang their postseason success on a full-team effort, but it’s Alina Stahl who’s been punching WVU’s ticket into the higher rounds.
Stahl netted the golden goal in second overtime Friday night, saving a round of penalty kicks and sending West Virginia (12-7-2) onto the Sweet 16. It marked her third goal in the NCAA tournament after posting two on Georgetown in the first round.
But it wasn’t Stahl’s game-winner that was the best highlight of Friday’s round of games. Rather, it was the clutch performance of Washington State en route to upset No. 1-seed Virginia, 3-2.
Averie Collins put the Cougars (14-6-1) up first with an early goal in the 12th minute, but Diana Ordonez responded for Virginia six minutes later to tie the match. Then, in the 30th minute, Morgan Weaver put Washington State back up on a goal assisted by Brianna Alger and Elyse Bennett. Virginia would tie the game once more as soon as the second half opened, but MacKenzie Frimpong-Ellertson connected with Weaver to net the game-winner in the 81st minute.
In total, the Cougars and Cavaliers nearly matched in shots (WSU 15, UVA 16) and shots on goal (8-9). The win marks Washington State’s second-straight upset after knocking off Memphis.
Kickoff is set for Sunday at 2 p.m. at Klockner Stadium.
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