WVU Men’s Soccer
WVU Soccer Rallies for Win Over Kentucky, Advances to Conference Title Game
It wasn’t easy but WVU soccer has earned the right to play for another conference title after rallying to beat Kentucky 2-1 on Wednesday night. The win improves the Mountaineers’ overall record to 12-1-6 on the season.
The victory advances West Virginia to the Sun Belt Championship Final on Sunday against No. 8 Marshall, creating a rematch of the 2023 Sun Belt Final. The game will be in Morgantown this time around as kickoff from Dick Dlesk Soccer Stadium is set for 1 p.m.
Good night, Mountaineer Nation!
Rest up before Sunday!#HailWV pic.twitter.com/vSac7vwYmV
— WVU Men's Soccer (@WVUMensSoccer) November 14, 2024
☝️ more!#HailWV pic.twitter.com/JBEkSY7IFW
— WVU Men's Soccer (@WVUMensSoccer) November 14, 2024
A conference tournament title would also complete a full season of dominance for Dan Stratford’s Mountaineers. WVU already owns the Sun Belt regular season title, capturing the honor after a draw with the Thundering Herd on Nov. 5.
A recap of WVU’s win over Kentucky from the press release:
On Wednesday, West Virginia received goals from the two Spaniards on the roster, graduate student Sergio Ors Navarro and senior Carlos Hernando. It is the second goal of the championship for each. Senior Frederik Jorgensen assisted on both goals while junior Felix Ewald collected an assist as well.
Overall, WVU outshot the Wildcats, 14-6, including a 6-2 edge in shots on goal. Kentucky had the advantage in corner kicks, 4-3.
Kentucky jumped out to a quick lead on its first shot of the game, a strike from All-Sun Belt first teamer Logan Dorsey in the third minute.
The Mountaineers answered quickly in the fifth minute as Jorgensen sent a corner kick to Ewald, who flicked it backwards in front of frame for Ors Navarro, who headed it in for his 14th goal of the season, the most for a Mountaineer since Jarrod Smith scored 14 in 2006.
The teams managed just one more shot on goal in the half as the score remained even heading into the break.
In the 54th minute, the Mountaineers earned a free kick near the goal line and Jorgensen stepped up again, sending a ball toward the box where Hernando headed it home. Jorgensen, a defender, reached a milestone on the night as surpassed the 20-career point mark.
The West Virginia defense remained strong the rest of the contest, allowing just one additional shot on goal as the Mountaineers defeated Kentucky for the first time in six tries.
