BRIDGEPORT, W.Va. — Three out of the four higher seeds prevailed as the Mountain East Conference Women’s Soccer Championship began Sunday afternoon. Top seeds West Virginia State and Fairmont State advanced to the semifinals, while the South Division’s No. 2 seed, Concord, and No. 3 seed, University of Charleston, also moved on.
The MEC semifinals are set for Wednesday on campus sites. The higher seed hosts. UC will travel to Institute, West Virginia, in a rematch of the 2024 tournament final, which was won by the Yellow Jackets. Fairmont State will host Concord.
Both matches can be watched on MountainEast.tv.
#1S West Virginia State 1, #4N West Liberty 0
The MEC Women’s Soccer defending champs started the title defense with a clean sheet at home. Leila Karam finally broke through in the 56th minute to give the Yellow Jackets the lead for good.
West Virginia State (15-3-1) dominated both halves, but could not find the back of the net in the first 45 minutes despite out-shooting the Hilltoppers, 8-1. The disparity grew in the second half, however, and WVSU finished the game with a 32-3 advantage in shots.
Karam’s goal was assisted by Sharon Freire Omonigho. All-MEC first team goalkeeper Poppy Bastock recorded the shutout, playing all 90 minutes and recording a pair of saves.
The Hilltoppers’ season ends at 4-14-1.
#1N Fairmont State 3, #4S Glenville State 0
Emelly Chicas scored in the 21st minute to open scoring and the Falcons’ defense held the visiting Pioneers to one shot over 90 minutes in the first-round win.
Valentina Gianinetto added her 10th goal of the season in the 58th minute, and then Braylyn Sparks scored in the 90th minute to complete the scoring for the MEC North Division champions.
Fairmont State has not lost in more than a month (Oct. 5, 3-2, vs. West Virginia State), and looked dominant again Sunday evening. The Falcons now own a 10-match unbeaten streak. Fairmont State (14-1-3) out-shot Glenville State, 27-1.
The Pioneers’ season ends at 6-12-1.
#3S Charleston 2, #2N Frostburg State 1
The higher seed and host Frostburg State opened the scoring 13 minutes in, but Charleston found the equalizer five minutes later and then notched the game-winner in the second half to advance.
Cassidy Paige opened the scoring for the Bobcats (10-5-3) on an assist from Molly Rebuck. Then, UC answered on a goal by Ava Bourne — her first of the season. The game was tied at intermission, although Frostburg State had out-shot the visitors, 12-3.
In the 51st minute, Maya Pooler scored on an assist by Jamie Bland. It was also Pooler’s first goal of the season, and it moved the Golden Eagles (9-7-3) into Wednesday’s tournament semifinal against a rival.
#2S Concord 3, #3N Point Park 0
Prior to the game at Callaghan Stadium in Athens, West Virginia, Concord’s leading scorer, Tiana Campbell, was honored as an All-MEC first team selection and the 2025 Offensive Player of the Year. The sophomore from England backed up the top honor, which was earned via a vote of the league’s head coaches.
Campbell tallied a hat trick in the tournament win, scoring in the 9th, 69th, and 88th minute. Fellow All-MEC first team pick, Ella Rowell, assisted on the second of Campbell’s goals.
Campbell leads the MEC with 15 goals. Entering Sunday’s action, her 12 goals tied for No. 16 among Division II players. She is now one of at least eight players nationally to reach 15 goals this season.
Overall, the Mountain Lions (11-5-3) out-shot Point Park, 20-6. The Pioneers’ season ends at 8-7-4.