Men's Soccer: No. 9 WVU Smashes UConn
September 30, 2006 09:41 PM | General
September 30, 2006
BOX SCORE
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| Jarrod Smith |
STORRS, Conn. – The No. 9 West Virginia University men’s soccer team picked up its biggest road win of the season when it defeated BIG EAST foe Connecticut, 3-0, on Saturday, Sept. 30, at Morrone Stadium in Storrs, Conn.
“The guys played well and it was a much deserved win overall,” said WVU head coach Marlon LeBlanc. “It was great to go to UConn and come out with the win. We eliminated the crowd which not many teams can do.”
The win marks the first time that the Mountaineers defeated the Huskies since 1997 and only the second time in the 15-match series. UConn had out-scored West Virginia by a combined 19-0 in winning nine of its last 10 matches against the Mountaineers.
For the second consecutive match West Virginia was extremely efficient offensively as it scored three goals on just eight shots. The defense played excellent as well as it allowed just four shots on goal in the game.
Both teams struggled to get chances in the first 45 minutes of play as UConn (6-3-2, 4-1-1) got off four, while WVU (9-1-2, 5-0-1) mustered just one. Both squads tallied one shot on goal.
The Mountaineers took a 1-0 lead into the half against the Huskies on a goal from senior forward Jarrod Smith. The Havelock North, New Zealand native netted his ninth goal of the season off of a header in the 36th minute of play. Midfielders Tony Lindroos and Andy Wright assisted Smith.
The score remained that way until the final two minutes of play when WVU tacked on two more goals. Junior midfielder Dan Stratford netted his second goal of the season in the 88th minute of play.
Smith then came calling again with his 10th goal of 2006 on an unassisted effort with less than a minute remaining in regulation.
West Virginia goalkeeper Nick Noble stopped all three Connecticut shots on goal in the second half to preserve his sixth shutout of the season. The Damascus, Md., native recorded four total saves on the evening.
“Nick came up big tonight,” said LeBlanc.
UConn goalkeeper Matt Sangeltoy allowed all three goals and tallied just one save.
WVU has now outscored its opponents 24-10 this season, with 22 of its goals coming in its last nine matches.
The Mountaineers return to action on Wednesday, Oct. 4, when they host border rival Pitt at Dick Dlesk Soccer Stadium in Morgantown, W.Va. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.
