WVU knocks off Cal in season opener

When senior Joey Piatczyc went down with a severe knee injury, the West Virginia Men’s soccer team had few expectations. Piatczyc was the leader of the squad. Fortunately, the senior’s leadership was on display as he joined the team on the first of their two-game California tour against Cal-Berkeley.

The Mountaineers opened the season with a 1-0 win against the Golden Bears by displaying a solid defensive backline and a tough new goalie in junior, Stephen Banick. Banick and the Mountaineer defense would face 14 shots with Banick saving four of those that were on goal.

The Mountaineer offense only managed three shots against the Golden Bears. THREE. Despite being the most concerning outcome of the match, it only took one goal by senior Jad Arslan at the 19:06 mark. The Mountaineer’s other chances came in the 12th minute with picture-perfect passing from junior Rushawn Larmond and Jad Arslan before being saved inside the six and in the 73rd minute after a shot was headed away by the Bears’ defense inside the 18.

The Mountaineers will have Saturday to fix the offense issues and add more to their 4-2-2 formation before the next match against Santa Clara on Sunday at 10:30 p.m. ET/7:30 p.m. PT.

KEY STATS (updated each match):
Record: 1-0-0
WVU goals-1 WVU shots: 3
Opponent goals-0 Opp. shots: 14