Men's Soccer: WVU Wins Opener
September 01, 2005 10:35 PM | General
September 1, 2005
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MORGANTOWN, W.Va. - The West Virginia University men's soccer team used goals from sophomores Dan Stratford and Geoff Cameron to defeat Campbell in its opening match of the Labor Day Shootout Presented by Jerseys Subs on Thursday evening in Morgantown, W.Va.
"It's always good to start off the season with a win and to get a shutout as well," said WVU head coach Mike Seabolt. "It's certainly not something to be satisfied with but it is a good start."
In the 18th minute of play junior Mountaineer forward Jarrod Smith was taken down with a hard tackle in the penalty box. WVU was awarded a penalty kick for the foul and the team's PK specialist Stratford stepped up to drill home the first goal of the season past Camel goalkeeper Brandon Kirksey.
The Mountaineers took the 1-0 lead into the half with nine shots and Campbell getting off six shots. WVU pulled away in the 66th minute off of a beautiful 25-yard goal from Cameron. After Chris Wittig played an assist into the middle of the field the Attleboro, Mass., native, ripped a hard shot to the right side of the goal that blew past Kirksey and gave his team the insurmountable lead.
Junior goalkeeper Nick Noble recorded the shutout with six saves including an amazing diving stop in the second half to his right side to hold onto the clean sheet. Campbell's Kirksey allowed both goals in the match and came up with five saves.
In all, 18 Mountaineers saw action on Friday including three true freshmen: Zak Boggs, Donald La Guerre and Sean Brooks.
Preceding WVU's match Marshall downed Temple 2-1 in a very tightly contested match. Herd player Jeremy Ashe scored the game winning goal in the 74th minute from 25 yards out on a quick shot after turning to beat his defender.
The Herd and Camels play in the first match of the second day of competition on Saturday, Sept. 3, at 3 p.m. The Mountaineers and Owls follow at 5:30.
