CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Maya Figueroa scored in the 65
th minute to lift Point Park to a 1-0 shutout victory over Charleston on Sunday afternoon at the Welch Athletic Complex. The senior has now scored in two-straight games, providing the game-winner in both Point Park wins this week.
Rebecca Pihlgren appeared to be on a breakaway down the middle of the field, before she was contacted and knocked to the ground by a UC defender just outside of the box. Another UC defender tried to clear the ball out, but it was intercepted by Figueroa, who scored from outside the box into the right corner of the net, giving Point Park a lead it would hold on to for the win.
Sunday's game was evenly matched with Charleston holding a slim 11-10 margin in total shots. Point Park had four on-target shots, while Charleston forced
Nicole Kuchinski to make three saves on the afternoon in the PPU goal.
Sunday's shutout is Kuchinski's ninth of the season in her 12 starts. She has recorded a clean sheet in six of Point Park's last seven games dating back to Sept. 20.
Julia Rusiecki gave Point Park its first scoring opportunity of the afternoon in the 40th minute, attempting an on-target shot in the bottom left that required a save. Pihlgren put a shot on goal in the 76
th minute, while
Jamie Spurrell fired a shot that required a save in the 84
th minute.
Charleston had a 5-3 edge in corner kicks in the game.
Point Park returns to action on Wednesday evening against No. 21 Fairmont State. Kickoff is slated for 7:30 p.m. at FNB Stadium in Downtown Pittsburgh. The game is for first place in the MEC North Division.
