Men's Soccer: WVU Wins Season Opener Against Stags
August 25, 2006 10:45 PM | General
August 25, 2006
BOX SCORE | PHOTO GALLERY
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| Jyler Noviello |
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. - The West Virginia University men’s soccer team kicked of its 2006 season with an important win by defeating Fairfield 1-0, on Friday, Aug. 25, at the WVU Shootout Presented by Jerseys Subs in Morgantown, W.Va.
Mountaineer Jyler Noviello netted the game winner in the 33rd minute when he received a perfectly placed ball from midfielder Mike Anoia eight yards out on the right side of the goal. The Atlanta, Ga., native sent a low shot that made it around the fingertips of Stags goalkeeper Jon Paul Francini and into the left side netting of the goal.
The goal marked the first of Noviello’s career at WVU.
West Virginia (1-0-0) dominated throughout as it held onto the 1-0 lead by allowing just one Fairfield shot (0-1-0) in the first half and five total in the game. The Mountaineers fired off 12 shots in the game including four from defender Pat Carroll.
Senior goalkeeper Nick Noble tallied one save in each half to record his 27th shutout of his career. The Damascus, Md., native needs just one more shutout to tie the WVU career record held by Jon Capon (1978-81) who had 28 as a Mountaineer.
Francini recorded two saves for the Stags in his season opener.
In the tournament’s opening game, Buffalo walked away with a 2-1 victory over Pitt. Braden Byler scored in the 6th minute of the match on an assist from Dan Stevens to put the Bulls up early. Dan Gwyther then put the game away with a goal in the 75th minute on an assist from Erik Jaanimagi.
The Panthers scored with eight minutes remaining on a goal from Chris Bastidas.
Tournament play resumes on Sunday, Aug. 27, when Fairfield and Pitt square off at 1 p.m. at Dick Dlesk Soccer Stadium. WVU will face Buffalo later on at 3:30 p.m.
