HARDEEVILLE, S.C. — WVU Tech women's soccer scored twice in the final 10 minutes and continued to press for an equalizer until the closing seconds Sunday, but the Golden Bears' late comeback fell just short in a 3-2 neutral-site loss to Southeastern University. Tech moved to 2-3 on the season.
Southeastern grabbed an early lead when Momo Sato scored just 1:27 into the match. WVU Tech settled in from there, with sophomore Rocío Gutiérrez producing the Golden Bears' first attempt in the eighth minute and Sophie Quinlan having a shot blocked following a corner kick in the 21st.
Freshman goalkeeper Irene Saldaña helped keep Tech within one before halftime, making saves on Olivia Thomassy and Olivia Hadad in a span of 50 seconds midway through the opening period. Marcela Kalb added another opportunity for the Golden Bears late in the half, sending a shot high in the 43rd minute as Southeastern carried a 1-0 lead into the break.
Southeastern extended its lead in the 55th minute when Hadad scored off an assist from Sato, then made it 3-0 on Sara Irurozki's goal at 62:55. The Golden Bears continued to create chances, including a shot on goal from senior Sofia Filgueira in the 61st minute and another from freshman Addison Burt in the 68th.
Tech's persistence paid off in the 81st minute. Junior Julia Silva scored at 80:14 to cut the deficit to 3-1, then struck again just 2:40 later. Senior Korinne Potter set up Silva's second goal at 82:54, suddenly pulling the Golden Bears within one with more than seven minutes remaining.
WVU Tech continued searching for the tying goal. Freshman Logan Waller sent a header wide in the 88th minute and Shiloh Goodwin had the final attempt of the match in the 90th, but Southeastern held on for the one-goal victory.
Silva finished with two goals on two shots, putting both attempts on frame. Gutiérrez had a team-high three shots, while Goodwin and Burt added two apiece. Potter recorded Tech's lone assist, and Saldaña finished with four saves over 90 minutes.
The Golden Bears finished with 13 shots, including 10 in the second half, and put four attempts on goal. Southeastern held a 15-13 edge in total shots and a 7-4 advantage in shots on goal, while Tech earned four corner kicks.
Through five matches, WVU Tech has scored nine goals on 55 shots, putting 21 on goal. The Golden Bears have also recorded three assists and 18 corner kicks.
What's next
WVU Tech returns to Beckley for its home opener Wednesday, Sept. 9, when the Golden Bears welcome Carolina University to the YMCA Paul Cline Memorial Sports Complex. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.
Season leaders
- Record: 2-3
- Goals: Rocío Gutiérrez, 3; Julia Silva, 3; Sarah Dasilva, 1; Addison Burt, 1; Shiloh Goodwin, 1
- Assists: Addison Burt, 1; Julia Silva, 1; Korinne Potter, 1
- Shots: Julia Silva, 13; Rocío Gutiérrez, 13; Shiloh Goodwin, 6
- Shots on goal: Julia Silva, 7; Rocío Gutiérrez, 5; Shiloh Goodwin, 3
- Goalkeeper saves: Irene Saldaña, 21
