Box Score KALAMAZOO, Mich. – The West Virginia University men's soccer team came from behind to earn a 2-1 victory at Western Michigan on Saturday afternoon.
 
In their Mid-American Conference opener, the Mountaineers (8-4, 1-0 MAC) had to come back to beat the Broncos (6-5-1, 0-1 MAC), with the game-tying goal in the 31st minute and the game-winner in the 84th. WVU has won three in a row and six of its last seven and improved to 8-0 when scoring at least two goals in a game in 2018 and 16-0 in the last three years.
 
West Virginia's goals came from freshman midfielder Josh DiMatteo, in the 31st minute, and junior midfielder Andres Muriel Albino, in the 84th. It was DiMatteo's second goal of his career, both coming in the last two matches, while it was Muriel Albino's first score as a Mountaineer.
 
"What a performance from our guys, coming from behind to win on the road at a very good Western Michigan team that's going to win a lot of games," WVU coach Marlon LeBlanc said. "They're a high-quality program, I take my hat off to what (WMU coach Chad Wiseman is) doing here. But, what a performance from the Mountaineers today, I couldn't be any prouder of them."
 
Sophomore defender Kevin Morris and junior midfielder Sebastian Garcia-Herreros earned assists on the Mountaineers' first goal, while Muriel Albino's was unassisted. It was Garcia-Herreros' fourth assist in the last three contests and his team-leading sixth of the year. Morris' assist was his second of the campaign.
 
Western Michigan's goal came at 21:56 on a penalty kick. It was the first penalty kick attempt by a WVU opponent this season.
 
In goal for the Mountaineers, sophomore Steven Tekesky made nine saves, and Lukas Von Lienen had five saves for the Broncos.
 
Muriel Albino and senior midfielder Joey Piatczyc led the team with four shots apiece, and Muriel Albino had three shots on goal. WMU had 18 shots to WVU's 14, while the Broncos held a 10-7 advantage in shots on goal.
 
West Virginia's game-tying goal came at 30:55. By the Mountaineer bench, Morris passed the ball to Garcia-Herreros, who sent a cross in to DiMatteo. Near the corner of the six, DiMatteo beat his defender to the ball and headed it in across the goal to the far post.
 
In the final seven minutes of regulation, the Mountaineers took the lead at 83:50. A cross into the box from the near corner hit a Western Michigan defender and bounced directly to Muriel Albino just inside the 18. He dribbled forward and chipped a shot in from the near side that went in over the keeper's fingertips into the upper side netting of the goal.
 
The Broncos controlled play early in the match, but Tekesky had one save, and another shot was blocked in the opening 10 minutes. Five minutes later, the Mountaineers had two great chances of their own. However, Muriel Albino's first opportunity was saved, off a free kick, and the next hit the post.
 
Tekesky made two nice saves before WMU scored in the 22nd minute, and WVU countered with a shot saved and another blocked before DiMatteo found the equalizer in the 31st minute.
 
In the closing minutes of the first half, the Mountaineers blocked another shot and Tekesky had his last of five saves in the half to keep it a 1-1 match.
 
WVU was out-shot 10-8 in the first half, while Tekesky's five saves were countered by two by WMU's Von Lienen.
 
Sophomore forward Tsubasa Takada and Piatczyc had shots saved early in the second half, and Tekesky added a save of his own in the first 10 minutes.
 
Muriel Albino had a long chance that was saved in the 77th minute before he found the eventual game-winner in the 84th. Tekesky ensured the score stayed 2-1 with a great save from inside the six, and saw another hit the post, in the final minutes of action.
 
WMU had eight shots to WVU's six in the final 45 minutes, while both teams had four shots on goal.
 
West Virginia faces its first ranked opponent of the season on Tuesday, Oct. 9, at No. 11 Wright State. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET. The Mountaineers will make their second trip to Dayton, Ohio, this season, after they posted a 2-0 victory at Dayton on Sept. 22.
 
WVU soccer scarf ticket packages and single match tickets are on sale now at WVUGAME.com or by calling 1-800 WVU GAME. The scarf ticket package includes a scarf and 10 tickets to be used at any men's or women's soccer match during the 2018 regular season. Packages are just $30 and are available while supplies last. Single match tickets are $5 each and $3 for groups of 10 or more when purchased in advance at WVUGAME.com. At the Dick Dlesk Soccer Stadium ticket window, tickets will be $7 for adults, $5 for youth and seniors and $3 for groups. The discounted online pricing will be available until kickoff of the match. Tickets for WVU students are free with a valid student I.D.
 
For more information on the Mountaineers, follow @WVUMensSoccer on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.