MORGANTOWN, W.Va. (October 25, 2009) - Junior forward Megan Mischler scored her team-leading fifth goal of the season to lead West Virginia to a 1-0 win over and coach Nikki Izzo-Brown’s 200th career victory on Sunday afternoon at Glay Field in Providence, R.I.

“We knew what we needed to do and the ladies got a nice shutout win,” said Izzo-Brown. “Anytime you hit a milestone, I always think about all the important people that helped me hit the milestone. A
coach is nothing without players and staff, and I’m very fortunate to have both.”

Mischler’s goal came at the 19:59 mark on a volley over Providence goalkeeper Jill Schott from eight yards out. Midfielder Carolyn Blank started the play with a service into the middle finding Mischler.
Mischler then took two dribbles and put the ball over Schott for the goal.

“I made a slashing run and Carolyn found me on a great pass through
the middle,” said Mischler. “I took one touch past the defender and
the goalie came out, so I chipped it over her head.”

The Mountaineers came out firing, outshooting the Friars 6-2 in the
first half and finished with 12 shots total, while Providence totaled
11.

Mischler led the Mountaineers with three shots, two on goal, while
midfielders Tara Ricciardi and Mary Vercollone paced Providence with
three shots apiece.

West Virginia’s defensive corps, led by Nicole Mailloux, continued
its success and did not allow a Providence shot until the 34th minute.

Several scoring chances developed in the first half for West Virginia,
including a Blank header in the 32nd minute. Midfielder Morgan Betscher
served a free kick that was headed by Blank and saved by Schott.

After Providence came out with four shots in the first nine minutes of
the second half, the West Virginia defense continued to make big plays
to preserve the shutout for goalkeeper Kerri Butler.

Butler’s best save of the day came in the 51st minute when she made a
diving save to stop Ricciardi’s shot off a rebound from a corner kick.
Butler finished the weekend with two shutouts and 15 saves.

This was the Butler’s fifth-straight shutout, and the Mountaineers
have not allowed a goal in 470 minutes.

In the 69th minute, Mischler nearly recorded her second goal of the
game on a shot from the top of 18-yard box, however Schott made a great
punch save over the crossbar.

Blake Miller then carved up two Providence defenders in the 72nd minute
and took a shot from 20 yards out that was again stopped by Schott.

Not only was this a milestone day for Izzo-Brown, but Blank also set
the team record for most career starts. The reigning BIG EAST Midfielder
of the Year recorded her 88th start, passing former All-American
Chrissie
Abbott.

With one more match played, Blank will tie former All-American Amanda
Cicchini for most matches played with 89.

West Virginia also clinched the No. 3 seed in the BIG EAST American
Division with its win, a Syracuse win over USF and Pitt’s win over
Connecticut.

“What the No. 3 seed says right now is that anyone could win the BIG
EAST,” said Izzo-Brown. “It is just wide open and any given day,
anyone can win in this conference. We’re happy and excited that we
finished third and playing Rutgers.”

“A lot of things happened to make us move up and we’re really
excited about it,” said Mischler. “We get a bye and then travel to
Rutgers and this win gave us more confidence going into the
playoffs.”

The Mountaineers will now travel to Piscataway, N.J., to take on
Rutgers, the No. 2 seed in the national division. The game will be on
Sunday, Nov. 1 at Yurcak Field at a time to be announced.