Published: September 22, 2007 11:40 pm         

Alderman scores 4 goals as MSU women take first win

Looking for its first win of the season, Mountain State University played a one-striker formation against Southern Virginia University Saturday.

It was all the Cougars needed.

Beckley freshman Erica Alderman scored a hat trick plus one as MSU rolled to a 5-1 victory at the YMCA’s Carter Stadium.

“(The 4-5-1 formation) allowed Erica to create opportunties,” coach Kelly Borck said. “She’s the best at making runs with the ball and shielding it to allow us to attack in numbers. She did well today.”

Center midfielder Emmanuela Acosta, who joined the team Thursday, scored the other goal for MSU (1-6).

Lindsey Denny made two assists and goalkeeper Christina Baker added another on a long punt.

Jordan Jarena scored a second-half goal for SVU.

The Cougars dominated, enjoying a 13-2 advantage in shots on goal.

“Our team passed and worked the ball out of the back well,” Borck said. “Our midfield controlled the pace of the game.”

MSU had just 13 players on the roster when it lost Caroline Birkby, a defender from Ireland, to a recent ACL injury.

Acosta and Jenifer Gresavage, a walk-on midfielder from New Jersey, have come on to add depth.

It’s the first season of competitive soccer for the Cougars. Borck, a former goalkeeper at the University of Charleston, was named coach last fall.

“We’re moving in the right direction,” she said. “But with injuries occurring and people having to come out, we knew it was something we’d have to be patient with.”

Borck said her team played with confidence throughout the match.

“We always come out with confidence, but it takes that first goal or something good to happen to keep the confidence coming,” she said.

MSU will host Pikeville College at 5 p.m. Wednesday at the YMCA Youth Sports Complex.