By Kendrick Jackson, Advertising Manager

Charleston University will visit West Liberty this weekend for a Mountain East Conference matchup. A win will give our Lady Toppers two for the season against a Golden Eagles team who was ranked first in the coaches’ preseason polls.

West Liberty hasn’t had the best of luck at home recently. Our Lady Toppers have lost their last three games, all of which have come at home. West Liberty will need to bounce back quickly to keep their postseason hopes alive.

The two squads met earlier this month with our Hilltoppers coming out on top 1-0. Sophomore midfielder, Nikki Lolua, scored the lone goal of the game during the second half. Lolua has two goals for the season.

Junior goalkeeper, Lauren Hartnell, has been a bright spot for the Hilltoppers. Hartnell won MEC Player of the Week for her play against Charleston and Wheeling Jesuit during the first week of October. She also posted 10 saves during their lost against Concord last Saturday, Oct. 14.

West Liberty isn’t the only team struggling this season. Charleston, the preseason favorites, have not been very good on the road all-season long. The Golden Eagles will look to make long strides as two of their last three regular-season games are on the road.

One of those last games for Charleston will be against the number one team in the MEC, West Virginia Wesleyan.

Charleston and Wesleyan met last year in the MEC Championship. This will be their second matchup of the season, as the Wesleyan Bobcats took the first one 2-0.

Freshman midfielder, Alana Mikulis, has been really good for the Golden Eagles. As of Oct. 15, 2017, Mikulis has four goals and two assists on the season. Mikulis also had a big goal in their win over non-conference opponent, Ashland University.

These two battle-tested teams will face one another this Saturday at 1 p.m. at the West Liberty Soccer Complex. Tournament play begins the first week of November.

Photo credit: Hilltoppersports.com