Buckhannon-Upshur's Lexi Kelley (5) tries to get a shot off in front of a diving Liberty keeper Emma Kyle.

Lady Buc defense shines again in 4-1 win over Liberty

TENNERTON – One noticeable change in the Buckhannon-Upshur soccer Lady Bucs’ seven-game winning streak is the improved play of the defense.

In two their first two games, without starting keeper Kyndal Davis, the Lady Bucs gave up nine goals in a pair of losses.

Since then, the defense, with Davis back in net, has allowed just six goals and notched four shutouts during their seven-game run.

That strong defensive play continued in the Lady Bucs’ 4-1 win over the Liberty Mountaineers Tuesday evening at the high school in a Big 10 Conference clash.

Senior center back Kiki Arbogast has been at the lead of the improved defensive playing, saying the new B-U back line just needed some time to gel this season.

“It has just been a matter of practicing and working together,” said Arbogast. “We had to learn some new concepts this fall and we are a young team. We pretty much have a brand new back line this year, so it has been a learning experience with how each of us play, work together and communicate.”

As the Lady Buc defense posted a shutout in the first half, the offense piled up three goals for a 3-0 lead at the break.

With the game scoreless in the first 27 minutes of action, the Lady Bucs broke the ice when Lexi Kelley played a through ball from Catherine Oliveto and beat the Liberty keeper with a shot to the right side of the net.

Four minutes later, Oliveto got into the scoring act with an unassisted goal from 30 yards out after a failed clear by Liberty.

Kyleigh Keener wrapped up the first-half scoring when she blasted home a penalty kick after a Liberty handball in the box.

Liberty’s Sydney Vilain scored the Mountaineers lone goal in the 46th minute making it a 3-1 contest.

Chloe Cale put the icing on the cake for the Lady Bucs with a goal after playing a cross in front of the net by Hannah Boyles in the 62nd minute.

“Liberty had some nice speed and had a couple of through balls, but I thought our defense played well again,” stated Arbogast. “We will keep working hard and keep trying to get better.”

The Lady Bucs held a 12-5 lead in shots-on-goal and a 6-0 margin in corner kicks. Davis made four saves for the Lady Bucs while Emma Kyle made eight stops for Liberty.

The win left the Lady Bucs with a 7-2 record overall and a perfect 5-0 record in the Big 10.

The Lady Bucs will play again Thursday at Fairmont Senior. The game will start at 6 p.m.

The boxscore:

Liberty 0  1 – 1

Buckhannon-Upshur 3  1 – 4

Scoring

Buckhannon-Upshur – Lexi Kelley (Catherine Oliveto assist), 28th minute.

Buckhannon-Upshur – Oliveto (unassisted), 32nd minute.

Buckhannon-Upshur – Kyleigh Keener (penalty kick), 35th minute.

Liberty – Sydney Vilain (unassisted), 46th minute.

Buckhannon-Upshur – Chloe Cale (Hannah Boyles assist), 62nd minute.

Shots-on-goal – Liberty 5; Buckhannon-Upshur 12.

Corner kicks – Liberty 0; Buckhannon-Upshur 6.

Saves – Liberty: Emma Kyle 8; Buckhannon-Upshur: Kyndal Davis 4.

Featured

SHOPS & SERVICES

WVWC president lays out newly minted strategic vision, vows college is here to stay

BUCKHANNON – The president of West Virginia Wesleyan College outlined his vision for the college during a recent Rotary Club of Buckhannon-Upshur meeting. President of WVWC Dr. James Moore attended the March 21 Rotary Club meeting to discuss his recent […]

Become a premium member to unlock immediate access to this story and thousands more. Plus you’ll wake up every morning to our email edition. Your subscription supports local news by local writers. Signing up is easy — just tap the button below!

Barbour County man arrested for allegedly stealing totes from Walgreens dumpster enclosure

BUCKHANNON – A Barbour County man was arrested for allegedly stealing totes from the Buckhannon Walgreens enclosure. Thomas Summers, 34, of Peeltree, W.Va., was arrested for entry of a structure other than a dwelling, a felony. According to the criminal […]

Become a premium member to unlock immediate access to this story and thousands more. Plus you’ll wake up every morning to our email edition. Your subscription supports local news by local writers. Signing up is easy — just tap the button below!

SHOPS & SERVICES

Thropp sets meet records as track and field Bucs win 10 events at Doddridge County

BUCKHANNON – The Buckhannon-Upshur High School boy’s track team won 10 events – including all five relays – en route to a second-place team finish in their season-opening meet at Doddridge County on Friday. B-U senior Taiwo Thropp won the […]

Become a premium member to unlock immediate access to this story and thousands more. Plus you’ll wake up every morning to our email edition. Your subscription supports local news by local writers. Signing up is easy — just tap the button below!

SHOPS & SERVICES