Men's Soccer: WVU To Play Host To BIG EAST Foes
September 27, 2007 02:15 PM | General
MORGANTOWN, W.Va.– The No. 8/14 West Virginia University men’s soccer team returns home to play host to a pair of BIG EAST matchups when the DePaul Blue Demons and USF Bulls come to Dick Dlesk Soccer Stadium. WVU will face DePaul on Friday, Sept. 28 at 7 p.m. and will close the weekend against USF on Sunday, Sept. 30 at Noon.
DePaul is currently ranked No. 17, while USF sits at No. 25 in the Soccer America Top 25 poll released on Sept. 24. USF sits at No. 16 in the NSCAA/adidas poll, where DePaul is receiving votes, in the weekly poll released on Sept. 25.
The Mountaineers and Blue Demons have only met twice in program history in 2005 and 2006 after DePaul joined the BIG EAST conference in 2005. WVU has defeated DePaul in both meetings.
The Mountaineers and the Bulls have battled 14 times before this weekend’s face-off. The series began in 1969 and USF holds the lead at 9-3-2. WVU won the last match, eliminating the Bulls from the BIG EAST tournament in the quarterfinal round last season.
A total of 13,134 fans have seen the Mountaineers on the field this season in just seven games and Head Coach Marlon LeBlanc hopes to bring that same enthusiasm home to Morgantown this weekend.
"It is my hope that the West Virginia faithful will seize this opportunity to show the country that we too are a soccer powerhouse,” comments LeBlanc. “ When we go on the road the stadiums are packed. I know our fans are excited to return the favor and make their presence felt against DePaul and South Florida. Dick Dlesk Stadium can be a fortress with the support of our fans and I know my team is excited to play at home."
Live stats provided by Gametracker and live streaming video will be available on MSNsportsNet.com for both matches. As part of the men’s soccer marketing and promotions effort, the match on Sunday has been deemed Dollar Day. Tickets and select concessions will be available to fans for just $1.
