West Virginia stuns defending national champions in 1-0 upset

After suffering a 2-0 loss at the hands of Central Michigan Friday, the West Virginia women’s soccer team upset No. 1 Stanford 1-0 Sunday.

Junior forward Frances Silva’s goal in the 83rd minute made the difference in the game, which ended Stanford’s 64-match regular season unbeaten streak.

"Obviously, they’re the No. 1 team in the country for a reason," said West Virginia head coach Nikki Izzo-Brown. "We just decided, as a staff, that we needed to try to frustrate them and disrupt them, and that’s what the girls did today."

After freshman forward Kailey Utley earned a corner kick, Silva was able to find the back of the net off a rebound in the box.

"I can’t even explain the feelings going through my body right now," Silva said. "We played amazing."

The Mountaineer defense held the Cardinal to only one shot on goal. WVU was able to create opportunities leading five shots on goal and two corner kicks.

Senior defender Bry McCarthy intercepted a pass and took a shot in the 87th minute, but it was saved by Gleason.

"They worked for the win. It was a little unconventional," Izzo-Brown said. "But when you’re playing a team that good, you just have to disrupt them."

It was the first time Stanford lost a game to a team with a losing record since 2006.

"This is probably one of the biggest collegiate games I’ve ever played in," McCarthy said. "We just stopped them. It’s just so exciting, and it’s so great for this program.

"None of this would have happened if it wasn’t for (Izzo-Brown). She is the best coach in the country, and she just proved it."

Friday, Central Michigan took an early lead after midfielder Katie Slaughter dropped a ball over the back where forward Laura Twidle scored on WVU goalkeeper Sara Keane, 1-0.

During the 43rd minute, CMU forward Morgan Wilcoxon split a pair of defenders off a miss clear, and took a shot adding a second goal for CMU, 2-0.

The Mountaineers generated good scoring tries in the second half with three attempts by midfielder Kara Blosser.

Sophomore forward Kate Schwindel shot in the 71st minute but was deflected by a diving stop from CMU goalkeeper Stefanie Turner. Schwindel finished with a game-high five shots on goal.

Silva attempted to score in the 82nd minute, taking a shot from 20 yards out, but was saved by Turner.

Sophomore defender Ali Connelly played well in her first collegiate start.

The Mountaineers finished the game with 19 shots on goal. CMU finished with seven.

The Mountaineers will return to the field Friday against third-ranked Penn State for the WVU 90 Minute Classic at Dick Dlesk Soccer Stadium at 7 p.m.