Men's Soccer: WVU Readies for No. 21 USF
September 14, 2006 11:44 AM | General
September 14, 2006
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. - The No. 8-ranked West Virginia University men’s soccer team hits the road for the first time in 2006 when it travels to Tampa, Fla., to face No. 21 South Florida on Friday, Sept. 15. Kickoff at USF Soccer Stadium is set for 7:30 p.m.
WVU (5-0-1, 2-0-0) has now put together the second longest unbeaten streak to start a season in school history. The 1968 team posted an 8-0-1 record through the regular season before losing to Saint Louis in the first round of the NCAA tournament.
The Mountaineers' two goals allowed through six games are the fewest ever allowed by a team in school history. West Virginia currently holds a 0.32 goals against average in 2006.
The Mountaineers moved up two spots in this week’s National Soccer Coaches Association (NSCAA) poll after picking up a pair of BIG EAST wins last weekend over Cincinnati and Louisville. Senior forward Jarrod Smith was the catalyst for both wins as he scored a goal and assisted on another in Friday’s 2-0 win over the Bearcats and then netted both goals versus the Cardinals in Sunday’s 2-1 victory.
For his efforts, Smith was named to the CollegeSoccerNews.com national team of the week. The Havelock North, New Zealand, native is currently tied for the BIG EAST lead in goals scored with four and leads the conference in goals per game at one.
USF returned to the Top 25 after opening its BIG EAST slate with wins over then-No. 8 Notre Dame and Marquette. The Bulls are led offensively Jordan Seabrook, who has scored three goals so far this season.
Last season South Florida recorded a pair of wins over WVU to extend its all-time series lead to 9-2-1.
Friday’s match begins a tough three-match road trip for the Mountaineers in which they face USF, DePaul and No. 2 Virginia.
