No. 23 WVU Men’s Soccer (1-1-0) entered Monday’s match coming off a loss, a rare start to the season under head coach Dan Stratford after the Mountaineers fell 3-0 to Charlotte in their opener.
Monday presented West Virginia with an early opportunity to respond against the Bonnies of St. Bonaventure, and that is what the Mountaineers did. Read more: Mountaineers respond with shutout win against St. Bonaventure.
A slow start of miscues
West Virginia could not find the back of the net through the full 45 minutes of the first half. However, the Mountaineers made moves to create opportunities and put themselves in optimal positions.
Set pieces provided some of West Virginia’s best chances early, as the Mountaineers aimed to find a way through St. Bonaventure’s defense.
Junior forward Braedon Smith helped create opportunities in the attacking third, playing passes into the box and searching to connect with his teammates in front of goal. However, West Virginia was unable to turn those chances into goals. Instead, the two sides entered halftime scoreless.
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The Mountaineers kept applying pressure as the half went on. Still, they missed passes. In addition, miscommunication in the final third kept West Virginia from finding the breakthrough it was looking for.
Eventual breakthrough
West Virginia broke through on the attack when WVU Tech transfer Julen Recalde found the back of the net, putting the Mountaineers ahead. The sophomore forward finished the chance with his left foot, placing the shot into the bottom-left corner of the goal.
Graduate defender Aurelien Cormier and Junior Midfielder Kanta Ishii were credited with assists on the goal. The pair combined to help create the opportunity for Recalde in the 61st minute.
In the 72nd minute, sophomore forward Sammie Walker was able to get a shot in the box, but could not get the ball off the ground. The attempt was eventually saved by St. Bonaventure.
Closing things out
In the 77th minute, the Bonnies finally got their first shot off, but it was saved by redshirt sophomore goalkeeper Toby Mawer.
The first booking of the game came in the 83rd minute. Luc Finelli was awarded the yellow card on an aggressive slide tackle.
What’s next
With the victory Monday, West Virginia now moves to 1-1-0 on the season. The Mountaineers next face UNC Greensboro on Friday, August 28.
First touch is set for 7 p.m., streaming on ESPN+.
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