Photo by: All Pro Photography/Dale Sparks
Preseason Begins at Virginia Tech
August 11, 2018 06:36 PM | Men's Soccer
BLACKSBURG, Va. – The West Virginia University men's soccer team opened its preseason schedule with an exhibition at Virginia Tech on Saturday afternoon.
On a warm, sun-soaked day at Thompson Field in Blacksburg, the entire Mountaineer squad saw action against the Hokies. WVU split into two teams, and everyone played approximately 45 minutes.
"It was good from our first group, they went out and were a really fantastic side," WVU coach Marlon LeBlanc said. "We decided to make a commitment that we were going to go 45 minutes with our first team, and everyone was going to play today. I thought we got out of it what we needed to get out of it. I'm really pleased with how our first group went out and moved the ball and created chances. With a little better finishing, we get a couple of goals in the first half too, but a really solid performance from our first group.
"The second group had a lot of young players on the field. All freshmen and a couple of sophomores. I think it showed a little bit with their inexperience, but that's what these exhibition matches are for. The results don't matter this time of year, win or lose, there's a lesson to be learned. Our first team went out and really executed and our second team learned some lessons."
Saturday's match was the first exhibition for the Mountaineers, who began preseason practice on Tuesday. The preseason slate continues with two home matches before the regular season commences on Aug. 24.
"We are where we want to be physically, mentally and tactically with the entire group," LeBlanc added. "We had nine or 10 first-time starters in the second half of the game. Virginia Tech is a good squad, so it was a good lesson for them. From our standpoint, we look at how our first group performed and utilize this exhibition to see which guys who played in that second group are going to become the depth for our team. We're on the right track, and I'm pretty pleased with the way things went today."
Up next for West Virginia is the annual Gold/Blue Intrasquad on Monday, Aug. 13. WVU then hosts Mount St. Mary's on Sunday, Aug. 19, at 2 p.m. Both home games will be held at Dick Dlesk Soccer Stadium, and admission is free for all fans.
The regular season begins on Aug. 24, at the College of Charleston, while the home opener is set for Friday, Aug. 31, against American.
WVU's 18-match 2018 schedule is highlighted by home matchups against Pitt and Cincinnati, as well as MAC foes SIU Edwardsville and Bowling Green, while the road slate features contests at perennial national-championship contenders Akron and Maryland. The complete schedule can be found on WVUsports.com.
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, while tickets are $3 for groups of 10 or more. 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 on game day. 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.
On a warm, sun-soaked day at Thompson Field in Blacksburg, the entire Mountaineer squad saw action against the Hokies. WVU split into two teams, and everyone played approximately 45 minutes.
"It was good from our first group, they went out and were a really fantastic side," WVU coach Marlon LeBlanc said. "We decided to make a commitment that we were going to go 45 minutes with our first team, and everyone was going to play today. I thought we got out of it what we needed to get out of it. I'm really pleased with how our first group went out and moved the ball and created chances. With a little better finishing, we get a couple of goals in the first half too, but a really solid performance from our first group.
"The second group had a lot of young players on the field. All freshmen and a couple of sophomores. I think it showed a little bit with their inexperience, but that's what these exhibition matches are for. The results don't matter this time of year, win or lose, there's a lesson to be learned. Our first team went out and really executed and our second team learned some lessons."
Saturday's match was the first exhibition for the Mountaineers, who began preseason practice on Tuesday. The preseason slate continues with two home matches before the regular season commences on Aug. 24.
"We are where we want to be physically, mentally and tactically with the entire group," LeBlanc added. "We had nine or 10 first-time starters in the second half of the game. Virginia Tech is a good squad, so it was a good lesson for them. From our standpoint, we look at how our first group performed and utilize this exhibition to see which guys who played in that second group are going to become the depth for our team. We're on the right track, and I'm pretty pleased with the way things went today."
Up next for West Virginia is the annual Gold/Blue Intrasquad on Monday, Aug. 13. WVU then hosts Mount St. Mary's on Sunday, Aug. 19, at 2 p.m. Both home games will be held at Dick Dlesk Soccer Stadium, and admission is free for all fans.
The regular season begins on Aug. 24, at the College of Charleston, while the home opener is set for Friday, Aug. 31, against American.
WVU's 18-match 2018 schedule is highlighted by home matchups against Pitt and Cincinnati, as well as MAC foes SIU Edwardsville and Bowling Green, while the road slate features contests at perennial national-championship contenders Akron and Maryland. The complete schedule can be found on WVUsports.com.
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, while tickets are $3 for groups of 10 or more. 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 on game day. 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.
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