Men's Soccer: WVU Upsets No. 17 Northridge
September 02, 2006 02:27 PM | General
September 2, 2006
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. - The West Virginia University men’s soccer team used a pair of first half goals to upset No. 17 Cal State Northridge 2-1 on Saturday, Sept. 2, 2006 at Dick Dlesk Soccer Stadium in Morgantown, W.Va.
The Mountaineers (3-0-1) jumped out to an early lead on the Matadors (0-1-1) as they posted a 2-0 lead before halftime. Junior midfielder Andy Wright got his team on the board in just the third minute when he collected a ball that was chipped over a defender by Dan Stratford. The Liverpool, England, native drilled his shot past goalkeeper Kevin Guppy for his first goal of the season.
Just 17 minutes later in the 20th minute WVU forward Jarrod Smith made the score 2-0 off of an assist from Stratford and Wright. The goal was the first of the season for the Havelock North, New Zealand, native.
Northridge would draw to within one in the 56th minute when Fergie Agwu buried a shot from eight yards out into the top left corner of the goal.
The goal by Agwu broke the Mountaineers’ 355 minute scoreless streak they had posted to start the season.
The Matadors had chances throughout the match as they out-shot WVU 11-6 in the first half and 11-3 in the second half. They also earned eight corner kicks to the Mountaineers’ three.
Northridge is the third nationally ranked team that WVU has beaten since 2004.
West Virginia Nick Noble recorded a season high five saves on the afternoon in 90 minutes, while allowing one goal. CSUN’s Guppy allowed one goal and tallied three saves.
The Mountaineers return to action on Friday, Sept. 8, when they host BIG EAST foe Cincinnati at Dick Dlesk Soccer Stadium in Morgantown. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.
