Men's Soccer: WVU Welcomes Pitt
October 07, 2008 01:53 PM | General
By Ira Green for MSNsportsNET.com
October 7, 2008
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – The West Virginia University men’s soccer team welcomes Pitt to Morgantown on Wednesday, Oct. 8, for the 44th edition of the Backyard Brawl. Kickoff at Dick Dlesk Soccer Stadium is scheduled for 7 p.m.
The first 50 Mountaineer Maniacs to pass through the gates will receive free pizza, courtesy of Papa John’s. Also prior to kickoff, members of the men’s and women’s basketball teams will be signing autographs in the concourse area inside the stadium.
WVU (3-4-3, 2-1-2 BIG EAST) is coming off a 1-0 win on Oct. 3 at then-No. 7 ranked Connecticut. Freshman Alex Silva took a pass from sophomore Paul Paradise, credited with an assist, and put it past UConn goalkeeper Josh Ford for the game-winning goal. The goal was the first of Silva’s collegiate career.
On defense, sophomore goalkeeper Zach Johnson has been nothing less than spectacular in goal for the Mountaineers. The Lumberton, N.J., native is tied for 11th in the nation in save percentage (0.886) and 12th in the nation in goals against average (0.47). He also is tied for the third-most shutouts in the BIG EAST with six.
Pitt (6-4-1, 2-3-0 BE) notched its second victory in league play, defeating Marquette, 1-0, at home on Oct. 5. On a free kick from E.J. McCormick, Andy Kalas headed the ball into the back of the net at the 54:27 mark.
The Panthers are led by Head Coach Joe Luxbacher, now in his 25th year at the helm of the program. Luxbacher owns a 192-190-48 record with Pitt.
Last year, Pitt finished with a 3-13-2 overall mark, going 1-9-1 in the BIG EAST Blue Division. The Panthers, who were picked to finish eighth in the division, return eight of 11 starters and 14 letterwinners. Back on the roster is leading goal-scorer, McCormick, who tallied four goals and one assist in the 2007. Both goalkeepers, Jordan Marks and Eric Barnes, also return to the rotation.
WVU holds a 31-9-3 all-time advantage against Pitt. The Mountaineers have won the last three meetings by a combined score of 7-2.
