ATLANTA – The No. 3 West Virginia University men's soccer team suffered its first conference loss since 2023, Saturday evening, falling to Georgia State, 2-1, at the GSU Soccer Complex. The Mountaineers fall to 9-2-2 and 4-1-0 in the Sun Belt while the Panthers improve to 4-4-5 and 2-1-2 in conference play.
 
Sophomore Braedon Smith scored for the Mountaineers, his first of the season. Overall, West Virginia outshot the Panthers, 19-6, including a 10-5 advantage in shots on goal. WVU also had a 9-4 edge in corner kicks.
 
The Panthers took the lead in 24^th minute off a corner kick and were close to taking the lead into the break, but Smith scored in the final minute of the half to even up the game. Senior Marcus Caldeira had a header that went off the crossbar and bounced to Smith, who knocked it home.
 
The Mountaineers had a few chances early in the second half, none better than a free kick in the 58^th minute. Senior Ethan Dekel Daks took a shot from just outside the box that looked destined for the corner of the net, but GSU goalkeeper Loan Marin made a diving save, one of nine on the night.
 
Another great opportunity came in the 63^rd minute when the ball landed at the feet of freshman Sammie Walker just inside the box, but his shot was once again saved by Marin.
 
Georgia State retook the lead in the 74^th minute when Dylan Williams chipped in a shot from a tough side angle that hit the inside of the post and bounced into the back of the net.
 
Down a goal once again, the Mountaineers looked for another equalizer with the best chance coming in the 83^rd minute when freshman Juan Alvarez's shot was saved by Marin.
 
The Mountaineers will be back home on Wednesday, Oct. 22, to take on Old Dominion. 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.