Shutout Streak Continues With 3-0 Win

Saturday, September 17

Morgantown, W.Va.

7:00 p.m.

West Virginia University

4-1-1

George Mason

1-4-1

Team	1	2	Final F
George Mason	0	0	0
West Virginia	1	2	3

Main-MSOC-GeorgeMasonFinal-091716.jpg

September 17, 2016 10:37 PM | Men's Soccer

Box Score

George Mason Patriots

1-4-1

Final

23 West Virginia Mountaineers

4-1-1

Final Stats | Photo Gallery

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – The No. 23 West Virginia University men's soccer team scored early and late and held its opponent scoreless for the fifth consecutive match to beat George Mason 3-0 on Saturday night at Dick Dlesk Soccer Stadium.

The Mountaineers (4-1-1) extended their shutout streak to five matches and more than 525 minutes as junior goalkeeper Jose Santos turned in his fifth shutout of the season. Goals in the sixth, 50th and 88th minutes propelled WVU offensively while the defense held the Patriots (1-4-1) to three shots on goal.

“To be honest, we kept them in it in the first half, and we should have put that game away in the first half and had a few (goals),” WVU coach Marlon LeBlanc said. “Jad Arslan had a great opportunity but the goalkeeper made a great save, Heath Honold had a great opportunity. In the locker room at 1-0 (at the half) is pretty disappointing, so for us to finally come out and score three goals and have chances to score more, it's going to be good for us to finally hit the back of the net and build a little bit of confidence.”

Freshman defender Albert Andres-Llop scored his first career goal in the sixth minute to put the Mountaineers ahead, 1-0. WVU added to its lead with another quick strike to begin the second half, courtesy of senior forward Felix Angerer in the 50th minute. With just over two minutes remaining, junior midfielder Joey Piatczyc sealed the win with his first goal of the season.

WVU held a 21-12 advantage in shots and a 12-3 edge in shots on goal. Sixteen of WVU's shots came in a strong second half for the Mountaineer offense, with eight going on goal. Santos made three saves, while George Mason keeper Steffen Kraus stopped nine shots.

Andres-Llop, senior defender Jack Elliott, junior midfielder Jad Arslan and sophomore midfielder Tucker Stephenson led the Mountaineers with three shots. Andres-Llop, Arslan and Stephenson all had two shots on goal.

There was plenty of action early in the game, as both team managed a shot on goal in the opening minutes before the Mountaineers struck first. At 5:10, Andres-Llop had a free kick opportunity 25 yards out on the right side. The freshman buried the ball in the upper right corner of the net for his first career goal to put WVU ahead, 1-0. The ball sailed over the wall of defenders and just past the diving arms of the Mason keeper.

West Virginia continued to push the ball through George Mason's defense in the first half, as Stephenson and junior forward Heath Honold both put shots on goal, but both attempts were stopped to preserve a 1-0 contest going into halftime.

The Mountaineers continue to pressure George Mason in the second half and it quickly paid off thanks to Angerer's header that found the back of the net at 49:02. Senior defender Louis Thomas got the ball on the far sideline near the WVU bench and passed it to freshman defender Sebastian Garcia-Herreros. Garcia-Herreros dribbled the ball in towards the end line and sent a pass into Angerer in the box. Angerer dribbled twice before scoring from point-blank range.

WVU continued to apply pressure throughout the second half, and it paid off with just over two minutes remaining. Freshman midfielder Lucca Barbaris had the ball on the right side near the end line and crossed it in to Angerer, who attempted a header. The ball bounced back to Piatczyc, who scored from just outside the box.

The Mountaineers' homestand concludes on Tuesday, September 20, against American at 7 p.m. ET. It will be Boy Scout Night at Dick Dlesk Soccer Stadium, and all troops will receive free admission. For fans unable to attend the match, a free live stream, courtesy of CityNet, and live stats can be found on WVUSports.com.

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.