Megan Mischler knew how important Saturday's game against Central Michigan was for the West Virginia women's soccer team.
The senior knew what she had to do, too: Get the ball in the net.
Last season, Mischler led the team in goals (5), game-winners (3) and points (12). After a strong 2009 campaign she knew her team would be looking for her to help produce points this season.
Mischler's game-winner Saturday against the Chippewas gave West Virginia a much-needed home win before heading to Miami this weekend for a two-game stretch before Big East Conference play.
"It was one of those, you're in the right place at the right time goals," Mischler said. "I saw it, and it was just sitting there, so I just shot it into the net. We just worked hard for every ball, and we came out on top."
Mischler played outside midfield, a position she doesn't usually play, against CMU.
She worked hard all week in practice to get opportunities on the outside, and the change of positions paid off as Mischler was able to score her first goal of the season.
Mountaineer head coach Nikki Izzo-Brown acknowledged how important the goal by Mischler was to help build the senior's confidence in her final season at West Virginia. Izzo-Brown believes that after scoring her first goal, Mischler's confidence will grow as the season continues.
"She knows what her roll is: to create opportunities and finish. Obviously she did both," Izzo-Brown said. "It's going to be a relief, because that kid would do anything for her senior year to go out winning."
After a 1-2 start, the Mountaineers were in need of a victory.
While offensive troubles plagued the team through its first three games, it finally came together in the second half against Central Michigan.
Bry McCarthy's goal off a free kick from 25 yards out tied the game in the 78th minute. After creating pressure throughout the second half, the Mountaineers' offense finally woke up and got the goals Izzo-Brown had been hoping for.
"This is so huge going in to play an (Atlantic Coast Conference) school," Izzo-Brown said. "We know this weekend is going to be a battle, and we're going to go in and get ready for Pittsburgh."
The offensive spark couldn't have come at a better time for the Mountaineers.
After rallying to beat Central Michigan with two unanswered goals in the second half, the team has momentum going into its game against Miami (Fla.) Friday and Florida Atlantic Sunday.
With one of the team's top goal scorers getting the first one out of the way, the offense should begin to produce a lot more.
West Virginia out-shot the Chippewas 20-17 Saturday, and with many scoring opportunities showed what it is capable of doing offensively.
With two out-of-conference matches coming up before the Big East season kicks off, the Mountaineers are right where they want to be, Izzo-Brown said.
Mischler said it's important to take each game in stride the rest of the season.
"It was a huge win for us," Mischler said. "We had to win tonight. We can't go 1-3. We didn't want to be two games behind a winning record, it was important to win and get even at 2-2."
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