MISCHLER’S GOAL GIVES IZZO-BROWN 200TH CAREER COACHING VICTORY

West Virginia women's head soccer coach Nikki-Izzo Brown earned her 200th career win as a head coach Sunday as the Mountaineers defeated Providence 1-0.

More importantly for Izzo-Brown, the team clinched third place in the Big East Conference standings and a spot in the Big East Conference Tournament when West Virginia (8-5-6, 5-3-3 Big East) tied No. 23 Connecticut 0-0 Friday.

It is the 10th-consecutive season the Mountaineers have appeared in the Big East Tournament.

The third place finish in the conference will also give West Virginia a first-round bye in the Big East Tournament.

With the regular season in the books, West Virginia turns its attention to the postseason. Izzo-Brown is prepared for the challenge and knows her team is as well.

"There's a lot of lessons to be learned with such a young team," Izzo-Brown said. "With the season closing up it is still never too late to make adjustments to help us."

Goalkeeper Kerri Butler kept the Mountaineers in the game earning her 10th shutout of the year against the Huskies Friday.

Despite not scoring, the Mountaineers kicked their offense into high gear, launching 22 shots.

WVU had its best opportunities in the second half, piling up 12 shots. Megan Mischler and Carolyn Blank lead the Mountaineers with four shots a piece.

Mischler's goal at the 19:59 mark Sunday was all the Mountaineers needed as they blanked Providence 1-0.

Blank also started her 88th game, a new program record.

"We can beat anyone in the Big East in the tournament if we play our best," Blank said. "It's a matter of what team shows up."

West Virginia will have a week off to concentrate on Rutgers, which it plays next Sunday in the quarterfinals of the Big East Tournament.