Wheeling Jesuit used a stifling defense, along with goals by Kara Houston and Amy Stiltner, to knock off Seton Hill 2-0 in a WVIAC Women's Soccer Tournament opening round contest.
The third-seeded Cardinals (11-9) held a 28-2 edge in shots, including a 12-1 edge in shots on goal. However, the visiting Griffins (6-13) stayed within striking distance for much of the evening thanks to ten saves by keeper Jenna Forzano.
Wheeling Jesuit scored the match's first goal and the only tally of the opening half in the tenth minute. Kara Houston's 24th goal of the season put the Cardinals on top 1-0.
The lead stayed at one-nil until the 71st minute as Amy Stiltner, the hero of WJU's 3-2 double-overtime victory over Pitt Johnstown on Saturday, found the back of the net for a 2-0 Cardinal advantage. Hannah Walker assisted on both goals to push her conference-best total to a dozen.
The night belonged to the stingy Wheeling Jesuit defense that did not allow a shot on goal in the final 80 minutes. Cardinal keeper Jessica Park's only business on the evening was a 9th minute save on a Mackeish Taylor shot.
Jesuit advances to Friday's semifinals to battle rival West Virginia Wesleyan in Buckhannon. The second-seeded Bobcats won the regular season meeting 4-1 on September 5.
WVIAC Women's Soccer Tournament
November 2-8
all matches hosted by the higher seed
Monday, 11/2 (first round)
#4 Concord 2, #5 Alderson-Broaddus 0
#3 Wheeling Jesuit 2, #6 Seton Hill 0
Friday, 11/6 (semifinals)
#4 Concord (11-6) @ #1 Davis & Elkins (14-4), TBA
#3 Wheeling Jesuit (11-9) @ #2 WV Wesleyan (11-6-1), 7:00 p.m.
Sunday, 11/8
Championship match
