Photo by: All Pro Photography/Dale Sparks
WVU Closes Preseason with Win
August 19, 2018 05:27 PM | Men's Soccer
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – The West Virginia University men's soccer team beat Mount St. Mary's, 3-0, in an exhibition match on Sunday afternoon.
The Mountaineers concluded their preseason slate with the shutout victory at Dick Dlesk Soccer Stadium, five days before the regular-season opener.
"It was good to give our guys a little more of an extended run-out," WVU coach Marlon LeBlanc said. "We've approached preseason pretty methodically in terms of our minutes and our time. We pushed the guys, the first-11 group, probably (played) 60 or 70 minutes today. We saw some positive things. It's a nice way to finish off with preseason, and now we look forward to opening weekend."
After holding its first team practice on August 7, WVU played two preseason exhibition contests. The 2018 campaign officially begins on Friday, Aug. 24, at the College of Charleston.
"I think the next week or so is going to be to sharpen up some things on both sides of the ball," LeBlanc added. "We're really looking at trying to finalize the last parts of our system and finetune some things with set pieces and some things with transition. I'm pleased with where we are right now and looking at hopefully building into a very tough opening weekend.
West Virginia's opening weekend features two matches in three days in Charleston, South Carolina. It begins with the College of Charleston on Friday night and concludes on Sunday, Aug. 26, with a neutral-site matchup against UNC Wilmington.
The Mountaineers' 25-man roster features 16 lettermen from a year ago, including nine that played in at least 15 matches in 2017. Eight newcomers also join the team.
"It's a very experienced group," LeBlanc said. "Even though there are only four seniors, most of these guys are returning players, so our young guys have been able to supplement. Not too many of them are getting very many minutes at the moment, but that's a good thing. They get to learn, they get to be patient. They get to work hard every day in training. Our older guys are a little more established, they know the system, and it's a difficult system to pick up. I'm pleased with where all 25 guys are right now. We're a very solid group and I think we're where we want to be for this part of the year. We're hopefully only getting better."
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.
The Mountaineers concluded their preseason slate with the shutout victory at Dick Dlesk Soccer Stadium, five days before the regular-season opener.
"It was good to give our guys a little more of an extended run-out," WVU coach Marlon LeBlanc said. "We've approached preseason pretty methodically in terms of our minutes and our time. We pushed the guys, the first-11 group, probably (played) 60 or 70 minutes today. We saw some positive things. It's a nice way to finish off with preseason, and now we look forward to opening weekend."
After holding its first team practice on August 7, WVU played two preseason exhibition contests. The 2018 campaign officially begins on Friday, Aug. 24, at the College of Charleston.
"I think the next week or so is going to be to sharpen up some things on both sides of the ball," LeBlanc added. "We're really looking at trying to finalize the last parts of our system and finetune some things with set pieces and some things with transition. I'm pleased with where we are right now and looking at hopefully building into a very tough opening weekend.
West Virginia's opening weekend features two matches in three days in Charleston, South Carolina. It begins with the College of Charleston on Friday night and concludes on Sunday, Aug. 26, with a neutral-site matchup against UNC Wilmington.
The Mountaineers' 25-man roster features 16 lettermen from a year ago, including nine that played in at least 15 matches in 2017. Eight newcomers also join the team.
"It's a very experienced group," LeBlanc said. "Even though there are only four seniors, most of these guys are returning players, so our young guys have been able to supplement. Not too many of them are getting very many minutes at the moment, but that's a good thing. They get to learn, they get to be patient. They get to work hard every day in training. Our older guys are a little more established, they know the system, and it's a difficult system to pick up. I'm pleased with where all 25 guys are right now. We're a very solid group and I think we're where we want to be for this part of the year. We're hopefully only getting better."
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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