Mountaineers Fall on the Road to Old Dominion

Friday, October 9

Norfolk, Va.

7:00 PM

West Virginia University

5-2-3, 1-1-2

Old Dominion

9-3-0, 1-3-0

Team	1	2	Final F
West Virginia	1	0	1
Old Dominion	1	1	2

Aurelien Cormier dribbles the ball for WVU Men's Soccer

October 09, 2026 09:56 PM | Men's Soccer

Box Score

By: Adam Grossman

NORFOLK, Va. – The No. 15 West Virginia University men's soccer team suffered a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Old Dominion, Friday night at the ODU Soccer Complex. The Mountaineers suffer their first loss since the season opener and fall to 5-2-3 overall and 1-1-2 in the Sun Belt while the Monarchs improve to 9-3-0 and 1-3-0 in conference play.

Graduate student Aurélien Cormier scored the first goal of his career for the Mountaineers. Juniors Kanta Ishii and Jacob Redenfors each collected an assist. Freshman Kendall Starks made two saves in goal in his first-career start.

Shots were even at six apiece while ODU had a 4-3 edge in shots on goal. The Monarchs also 4-2 advantage in corner kicks. The game was a battle all night long as ODU committed 23 fouls compared to 16 for the Mountaineers. There were also a combined eight yellow cards in the contest, five for the Monarchs and three for West Virginia.

The first opportunity of the game came in the fourth minute when ODU had a shot from close range, but Starks was there to make a diving save, the first of his career.

In the 28^th minute, WVU earned a corner. Ishii played it short to Redenfors, who lofted the ball toward the far post where Cormier was unmarked. On his first touch, the Frenchman easily knocked it home.

The lead was short-lived, however, as ODU scored in the 32^nd minute off a long throw-in. The game remained tied at the half.

In the 51^st minute, the Mountaineers had their only other shot on goal as sophomore Harry Hogben was turned away.

In the 53^rd minute, Old Dominion took another long throw in and like the first half, headed the ball into the back of the net. The Monarchs looked to have a third goal off a throw in later in the half, but it was overturned after VAR review.

The Mountaineers pushed forward looking for the equalizer but could only manage three shots the remainder of the match.

West Virginia will be back on the pitch on Monday, Oct. 12, against American for the final nonconference game of the season. Kickoff from Reeves Field in the nation's capital is scheduled for 1 p.m.

For more information on the Mountaineers, follow @WVUMensSoccer on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.