On Friday night, the West Virginia men’s soccer team tied Coastal Carolina 0-0 in the program’s first Sun Belt Conference game.
West Virginia held offensive possession for 59% of the match and registered 13 shots, six of which being on net. Despite the statistics being in favor of the Mountaineers, Coastal Carolina found a way to shut down Dan Stratford’s group when it mattered the most.
In the first half of play, the Mountaineers brought the attack to the Chanticleers, as they registered seven shots, three of them being on net.
Despite the three shots on net, Coastal Carolina keeper Joey Batrouni stood tall, making impressive saves on every shot.
The Chanticleers registered two shots in the first half, but neither of them were on net.
The game went to halftime with the score tied 0-0.
In the second half, Coastal Carolina played a very defensive game, as the Chanticleers only shot the ball three times in the back half of the match. The Mountaineers did, however, get six more shots off in the second half, but none of them got through.
In the 63rd minute, West Virginia knocked on the door again when Marcus Caldeira put a hard shot on goal, but the shot was denied when Batrouni made a fine leaping save.
In the 82nd minute, the Mountaineers had another good look at scoring, but too much passing around the net led to an easy save for Caldeira on a shot by WVU’s Max Tretheway that was about to be blocked.
In the final minute of the game, the Mountaineers had one more push to get that all-elusive goal to come out with a victory.
In the 89th minute, with 10 seconds left on the clock, WVU’s Dyon Dromers found room to put a strong shot against the Chanticleer defense.
The shot, aimed for the upper right corner of the net, barely sailed over the goal and out of play.
Despite the thrilling final push, West Virginia could not find the back of the net, as the Mountaineers tied the Chanticleers 0-0.
WVU head coach Dan Stratford spoke on the physicality and defensive style Coastal Carolina brought to the table to force a draw.
“That’s the way they play,” Stratford said. “It’s ugly at times but effective. You have to respect that that’s their identity.”
The Mountaineers will now travel west to take on the No. 13 Portland Pilots.
“We’re going to have to bring the energy and utilize the depth as best we can,” Stratford said. “We’ll see if everyone’s got through tonight unscathed and we’ll need the full 22 that travels on Monday night.”
West Virginia and Portland will kick off at 10 p.m. from Portland, Oregon.
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