CONWAY, S.C. – The No. 4 West Virginia University men's soccer team overcame an early deficit and earned a 2-1 victory at Coastal Carolina, Friday evening at CCU Soccer Stadium. The Mountaineers improve to 8-1-2 and 4-0 in the Sun Belt while the Chanticleers fall to 1-7 and 0-4 in conference play.
 
Senior Marcus Caldeira scored his seventh goal of the season and 35^th of his career while senior Ethan Dekel Daks provided the game-winner with his second of the season. Sophomore Braedon Smith and freshman Nacho Martinez each tallied an assist.
 
West Virginia outshot the Chanticleers, 19-4 with an 8-1 advantage in shots on frame. The Mountaineers also took 17 corner kicks compared to just two for Coastal Carolina.
 
With the win and Kentucky's loss to Marshall on Friday, the Mountaineers now sit atop the Sun Belt table, three points clear of both the Wildcats and Thundering Herd, with five games to go.
 
Coastal Carolina took an early lead in the ninth minute in what turned out to be its only shot on goal on the night.
 
In the 14^th minute, senior Felix Ewald looked to have tied the game as his shot found the back of the net, but he was ruled offside. Ewald did play a role in the equalizing goal as he was tackled in the box in the 23^rd minute. Caldeira stepped up to the spot and buried the tying goal.
 
The best chance before the half to take the lead came in the 42^nd minute as freshman Sammie Walker had a opportunity close to the goal, but his shot went off the crossbar.
 
It did not take long in the second half for the Mountaineers to jump in front as Dekel Daks took a shot from just outside the box. Chanticleer goalkeeper Alec Laible got a hand on the ball as tried to make a leaping diving save, but he could not stop it from ending up in the back of the net.
 
The Mountaineer defense was strong the rest of the game, not allowing a shot in the second half.
 
West Virginia will be back home on Tuesday, Oct. 14 to take on American in its final non-conference contest of the season. Kickoff from Dick Dlesk Soccer Stadium is set for 7 p.m.
 
For more information on the Mountaineers, follow @WVUMensSoccer on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.