No. 23 WVU Men’s Soccer (0-1-0) dropped its first game of the season to Charlotte (1-0-0), 3-0, at Jen Gaber Field on Thursday. Read more: WVU Men’s Soccer drops first game of the season to Charlotte, 3-0.
The Mountaineers were unable to find the back of the net in their season opener at Charlotte, despite nine total shots and four on goal. For the 49ers, they were able to overwhelm WVU’s defense with nine shots, with only two not on target.
First Half
West Virginia started the attack early with a shot attempt from Pablo Pozos. However, it was stopped by Charlotte’s goalkeeper Alex Svetanoff.
At the 13:59-minute mark, Charlotte’s Natsuki Ogata attempted a shot in the center of the goal, but WVU’s Toby Mawer managed to stop it and keep the score tied at 0-0.
After Tyler Londono Zapata missed high right for West Virginia at the 21:12 mark, Charlotte’s Michael Raggett broke the stalemate just under the 25-minute mark of the first half.
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The Mountaineers managed to get three more shot attempts in the final stages of the first half, but none could get past Svetanoff.
Following a failed corner kick attempt from WVU with 44:20 left, the 49ers countered with a goal by Larry Noel.
West Virginia went into the break with five shots and six corner kick opportunities in the first half. Despite committing 10 fouls, Charlotte had all the momentum on its home pitch.
Second Half
Neither team could get much going at the beginning of the second half until Charlotte rattled off back-to-back shot attempts at the 53-minute mark. The first came from Samuel Manufor at 53:05 and just 25 seconds later Andreas Evangelou sailed the ball just over the net.
However, 13 minutes later Raggett scored his second goal of the night to push Charlotte’s lead to three at the 66-minute mark. Raggett tallied the brace in his first-ever collegiate outing.
The Mountaineers did not have their first shot attempt in the second half until over 22 minutes into the half when Londono’s attempt was blocked.
Following a yellow card issued to West Virginia and a red card on Svetanoff, Pozos had a shot attempt saved by Charlotte’s backup goalie Tom Carmeli.
At the 81-minute mark, Tristan Pusztahegyi missed a shot attempt high for WVU. With just four minutes left in the match, Kansa Ishii missed another shot high for West Virginia.
West Virginia now moves on to face St. Bonaventure on Monday, August 24 at 6 p.m. in the home opener at Dick Dlesk Soccer Stadium.
