Men's Soccer: WVU Ties Pitt 1-1 in 2OT
October 08, 2008 11:05 PM | General
By Ira Green for MSNsportsNET.com
October 8, 2008
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MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – The West Virginia University men’s soccer team tied Pitt 1-1 in a double-overtime contest on Wednesday evening at Dick Dlesk Soccer Stadium in rainy conditions.
WVU (3-4-4, 2-1-3 BIG EAST) scored the first goal of the game with 7:50 left to go in the first half. Sophomore Dan Hagey started the play with a shot on the right-wing just outside of the six-yard box. Although Pitt goalkeeper Eric Barnes failed to stop it, the shot went wide left, staying in the field of play, and was gathered in by sophomore Paul Paradise. Upon recognizing a defender closing in, Paradise laid the pass of to senior Alex Yost, who found the right corner of the net for his first score of the season. Paradise and Hagey were credited with assists.
The Mountaineers continued to pressure the Panthers’ defense, as freshman Alex Silva took a shot just minutes later, but could not put it past Barnes, who had two saves on the day.
On defense, the Mountaineers stepped up, despite the wet conditions. With 9:36 left to go in regulation, Pitt’s E.J. McCormick came dribbling up the right side of the field. After junior Jason Bristol slipped, it appeared as if McCormick had a wide open lane to take a shot, but junior Ryan Gillespie stepped in and was able to take the ball away.
The Panthers (6-4-2, 2-3-1 BE) responded with 5:33 left to go in the second half. After a whistle blew on a foul inside the box, Pitt’s Mike McDade was awarded a penalty kick, and made good on it, sending it to the top left corner of the net, knotting the game at one apiece.
WVU outshot Pitt, 20-10, including its 4-0 advantage in both overtimes.
Paradise led all players with five shots in the contest and goalkeeper Zach Johnson made eight saves in the match.
The Mountaineers travel to Providence for their match against the Friars on Saturday, Oct. 11. Kickoff at Glay Field is scheduled for 1 p.m.
