Tongue Tied
August 27, 2006 08:26 PM | General
August 27, 2006
BOX SCORE | PHOTO GALLERY
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| Nick Noble |
MORGANTOWN, W.Va.- Goalkeeper Nick Noble recorded his school record-tying 28th career shutout, but the Mountaineers were unable to find the back of the net as they battled the Buffalo Bulls to a scoreless draw Sunday afternoon at the WVU Shootout presented by Jerseys Subs in Morgantown.
The Mountaineers controlled play the entire game, out-shooting the Bulls 23-10 and leading on shots on goal, 10-2. The Mountaineers pushed numbers forward for much of the game desperately trying to net a goal. Despite the tie, first-year coach Marlon LeBlanc was pleased with his team’s efforts.
“We played well and we certainly played to win. We pushed numbers up constantly to try and win the game. I think you saw one team playing for the win while one team played for the tie,” LeBlanc said.
LeBlanc used his rotation of substitutes very well throughout the game, keeping the Mountaineers energized so they could go straight at the Bulls in attempt to score a goal.
“In the second half our guys were a lot fresher than their guys. My directive to the guys was to stay direct on them because they don’t have the legs to stay with you. They were dead on their feet. It worked, but we just couldn’t get the ball in the back of the net. It is a cruel game sometimes,” LeBlanc said.
Noble was pleased to tie the school record for shutouts, but he recognizes that the strength of this Mountaineer team is in its defense and every game he has a lot of help in the back.
“It feels good, I mean it’s the accumulation of four years. I wish my name wasn’t the name that went on it. I wish it was the entire team. They deserve this too. As you could see I wasn’t really challenged today and that’s a credit to our defenders,” Noble said.
With the draw, the Mountaineers placed second in the tournament. West Virginia shares an identical 1-0-1 record with the Bulls as well as an even +1 in goal differential. The third tiebreaker is total goals scored in the tournament, which gives Buffalo a 2-1 advantage and the tournament championship.
The Mountaineers return to action Tuesday evening when they entertain the Bucknell Bison at Dick Dlesk Stadium. Kick-off is set for 7 p.m.
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