WVU men’s soccer drops season opener to Navy 1-0

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — Navy’s Thomas Moore scored on a header off a free kick in the 76th minute and the Midshipmen spoiled West Virginia’s home opener 1-0 in men’s soccer action Friday night.

“It was a set piece that did us in,” West Virginia coach Marlon LeBlanc said. “Free man and three (WVU players) not challenging for the ball in the air and (Moore) buries it. He took his chance well.”

Before a near-capacity crowd of 1,442 at Dick Dlesk Soccer Stadium, the Mountaineers (0-1) matched Navy with 12 shots.

WVU had several chances, the first in the eighth minute when midfielder Jack Elliott’s shot from inside the box was saved by Navy goalie Jackson Morgan.

Less than five minutes later, midfielder Joey Piatczyc sent a shot just wide of the net off a cross from defenseman Louis Thomas.

The Mountaineers had another scoring opportunity in the 37th minute when Jamie Merriam’s header went just wide.

West Virginia nearly scored the equalizer in the 82nd minute when but Zion Gray’s header off a corner kick sailed high.

Daniel Diaz made six saves in his WVU debut.

The Mountaineers host San Francisco on Sunday at noon.

“Great crowd tonight, they were the best ones out here,” LeBlanc said. “We are disappointed that we let them down tonight. They deserve better, and our team knows they deserve better. We’ll do everything in our power to make sure that they get better next time.”

WVU women 1, Maryland 0: At College Park, Kailey Utley’s first half goal was all the No. 11 Mountaineers (2-1) needed in the first meeting between the programs.

Utley was in perfect position for her second goal of the season, pouncing on the ball inside the goal mouth after Amandine Pierre-Louis’ initial shot richoceted away from Maryland keeper Rachelle Beanlands.

WVU finished with a 21-5 shot advantage and a 6-0 edge in corner kicks.





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