Shutout Streak Ends with OT Loss

Saturday, October 1

Morgantown, W.Va.

12:00 p.m.

West Virginia University

6-2-1

Saint Mary's (Calif.)

3-5-3

Team	1	2	OT 2	Final F
Saint Mary's	0	1	1	2
West Virginia	0	1	0	1

Main-MSOCvsSMCFinal-100116.jpg

October 01, 2016 04:14 PM | Men's Soccer

Box Score

Saint Mary's Gaels

2-5-3

Final/OT

15 West Virginia Mountaineers

6-2-1

Final Stats

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – The No. 15 West Virginia University men's soccer team's shutout streak was snapped with a 2-1 loss to Saint Mary's (Calif.) in overtime on Saturday afternoon.

The Mountaineers (6-2-1) saw their school-record shutout streak, and unbeaten streak, end at seven matches and more than 750 minutes. The Gaels (2-5-3) scored in the 52nd minute and again in the 96th minute.

“We didn't play well, and that's my fault,” WVU coach Marlon LeBlanc said. “It was a long week and unfortunately I didn't do a good enough job of having my team prepared to play today. We didn't do a good job of managing the match, we probably played the worst 70 minutes of the season. We were really good to get back into it and believing, but then we fell back into the same thing into overtime. Credit to Saint Mary's for coming out here and working very hard and getting a deserved result on the day.”

After Saint Mary's scored in the 52nd minute, WVU answered with less than four minutes remaining, in the 87th minute. Junior midfielder Jad Arslan scored his second goal in as many games to even the score at 1-1. In overtime, SMC won it in the 96th minute.

Junior goalkeeper Jose Santos allowed two goals, his first goals allowed since the first half of WVU's season-opening contest. He made three saves and saw team-record shutout streak was snapped at more than 750 minutes.

Saint Mary keeper Andrew Konstantino made five saves, including three in the second half and one in overtime. WVU had 15 shots, with eight in the second half, while SMC record nine shots. Both of the Gaels' goals came off the foot of Frederick Karman.

Arslan led the team with three shots, one on goal. Senior defender Jack Elliott and junior defenders Steven James and Louis Thomas each had two shots and one on goal.

WVU's goal to even the score came at 86:10. It began with Thomas, who sent the ball to sophomore forward Rushawn Larmond. On the near side near the endline, Larmond sent a cross in to Arslan, who slid to connect with the ball and push it into the net.

Saint Mary's took a 1-0 lead at 51:26. Off a corner kick, SMC's first shot, a header, was saved by Santos. The rebound fell at his feet, where Karman found an opening from one yard out to break scoreless match.

The Gaels won it in overtime, and again it was Karman with the goal off a rebound. He found the rebound inside the box and scored into the left side of the net.

In the first half, Santos made a sliding save to his left in the 28th minute for his first save of the contest. On WVU's ensuing possession, junior midfielder Joey Piatczyc had a breakaway opportunity and sent the ball to sophomore midfielder Tucker Stephenson, who passed to Arslan, but Arslan's shot was blocked.

A block in the 34th minute by Elliott saved a great chance by SMC on a hard ball sent in towards the net.

To end the half, freshman midfielder Ethan Shim's header went high off a corner kick by Piatczyc.

In the second half, ten minutes after their first goal, the Gaels nearly took a 2-0 lead when they had a 2-on-1. It was Karman again from the left side, but his shot hit the post and rolled along the goal line before it was cleared.

WVU had a chance to even the score in the 71st minute off a free kick. Just outside the 18 on the right side, Elliott's shot sailed over the wall but right into the chest of the keeper.

The Mountaineers had another great chance six minutes later. On the near side near the goalline, Larmond sent a cross in to senior forward Felix Angerer, who headed it in from just two yards out. However, Konstantino was there to make the save and preserve the lead.

In overtime, West Virginia nearly won it just seconds into the extra period, but Larmond's header hit the post.

Mid-American Conference action begins on Friday, October 7, at 7 p.m. ET when WVU hosts Bowling Green at Dick Dlesk Soccer Stadium. WVU is 2-2-1 against BGSU in four seasons as conference foes, including 1-1 at home. It is WVU Faculty & Staff Appreciation Night, and the team will sign autographs following the match. Additionally, the first 400 fans will receive a free WVU pint glass, courtesy of Coca-Cola.

WVU Soccer Scarf ticket packages are now on sale and includes the official 2016 WVU Soccer fan scarf and 10 tickets to be used at any men's or women's home matches during the regular season. Packages are just $30 and are available while supplies last. To order, visit WVUGAME.com or call 1-800-WVU GAME. More information is available on WVUSports.com.

Additionally, single-game tickets for all nine regular-season home matches are now on sale at WVUGAME.com or by calling 1-800-WVU-GAME.

For more information on the Mountaineers, follow @WVUMensSoccer on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.