West Virginia blanks Robert Morris, secures season opening victory 1-0

On Thursday evening, the No. 6-ranked West Virginia men’s soccer team defeated Robert Morris 1-0 at Dick Dlesk Soccer Stadium. 

After three friendlies, the Mountaineers showed they were chomping at the bit to start the 2022 campaign. The team controlled possession for 67 percent of the match. The Mountaineers also registered four shots on goal, while the Colonials only posted one. 

In the first half, West Virginia took an early hold on the match by getting three shots off while shutting down the Colonials. 

Midway through the half, the Mountaineers got their first prime chance at a goal when Ciro Bourlot Jaeggi, the team’s leading goal scorer a year ago, connected on a header in front of the goal. The attempt was denied when Robert Morris keeper Friedrich Petrelli made a jumping save. 

West Virginia kept the pressure on, and in the 36^th minute, the Mountaineers would strike first. Scoring the goal was junior Yutaro Tsukada, who struck the bar on the initial shot. When the ball came down, it bounced off Petrelli and found the back of the net. 

Neither team generated another shot after the Tsukada goal, and the game went to halftime with the Mountaineers leading 1-0. 

In the second half, West Virginia kept the pressure on Robert Morris. The team put three more shots on goal to keep the Colonials on their toes. 

Robert Morris registered its lone shot on goal of the night at the 72:09 mark, which was turned aside by Mountaineer keeper Jackson Lee. 

The lack of possession and chances was too much for Robert Morris to overcome, and the Mountaineers secured the season’s first win, 1-0. 

After the victory, WVU head coach Dan Stratford spoke on stepping into the regular season after three exhibitions. 

“It was a bit of a stop, start preseason in some regards just with some influential players not quite where they need to be physically,” Stratford said. “We had some injury issues, so honestly, I was really relieved and happy that as many of the squad were available for tonight.” 

Stratford then spoke on the long-term goals of the program, and how the team still has more to prove after an Elite Eight season. 

“The target is still ahead of us,” WVU head coach Dan Stratford said after the victory. “We’re not done. Last year wasn’t and should not be the pinnacle of what we’re trying to achieve.”