BECKLEY, W.Va. — WVU Tech men's soccer broke through in a big way Tuesday night, scoring six times in a 6-1 victory over the University of Pikeville at the YMCA Paul Cline Memorial Sports Complex for its first win of the season.
The Golden Bears improved to 1-0-3 after opening the season with three consecutive draws. Five different players scored for Tech, led by junior Wilfredo Briceño with two goals.
Pikeville struck just 55 seconds into the match when Dylan Roberts scored off an assist from Luthando Mdletshe, but Tech quickly found its response.
Gonzalo Sabeh found Joost Hermeling in the 12th minute, and the freshman finished at 11:52 to even the match at 1-1. It was Hermeling's team-leading third goal of the season.
The Golden Bears needed just over two more minutes to grab the lead. Kai Cooper set up Sabeh at 14:09, and the sophomore converted to put Tech in front 2-1. The goal was Sabeh's first of the season, while Cooper collected his first assist.
Tech continued to apply pressure throughout the half. Briceño forced Pikeville goalkeeper Alejandro Iglesias into a save in the 33rd minute before converting a penalty kick at 34:35 to extend the advantage to 3-1.
The Golden Bears nearly added another before halftime when freshman Gonzalo Gorostiza Colman's attempt hit the post in the 42nd minute. Tech carried the two-goal lead into the break after producing nine first-half shots.
The attack picked up where it left off after halftime. Cooper put an attempt on goal just 14 seconds into the second half before Colman found the back of the net at 54:02, giving WVU Tech a 4-1 lead with his first collegiate goal.
Freshman Arturo Caballer followed in the 63rd minute, finishing off Sabeh's second assist of the night to stretch the lead to 5-1. The goal was Caballer's first collegiate goal.
With the lead firmly in hand, Tech continued to create opportunities while using its depth. Freshman goalkeeper Enrico Reginatto entered in the 67th minute and kept Pikeville off the board over the final 23:24.
Briceño put the finishing touch on the victory in the 89th minute, taking a feed from Derren Sanchez and scoring his second goal of the night to make it 6-1.
WVU Tech finished with a 16-5 advantage in shots and put 13 attempts on goal. The Golden Bears also earned 11 corner kicks, including eight in the second half.
Briceño led Tech with two goals on four shots, putting three on target. Sabeh finished with a goal and two assists, while Hermeling, Colman and Caballer each added a goal. Cooper and Sanchez recorded one assist apiece.
Through four matches, WVU Tech has scored nine goals while averaging 10.5 shots per match. The Golden Bears have put 23 of their 42 shots on goal for a .548 shots-on-goal percentage.
What's next
WVU Tech returns to the road Monday, Sept. 14, when the Golden Bears visit Lindsey Wilson College. Kickoff is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. in Columbia, Kentucky.
Season leaders
- Record: 1-0-3
- Goals: Joost Hermeling, 3; Wilfredo Briceño, 2; Arturo Caballer, Gonzalo Gorostiza Colman, Kai Cooper and Gonzalo Sabeh, 1
- Assists: Gonzalo Sabeh, 3; Kai Cooper, 1; Derren Sanchez, 1
- Points: Joost Hermeling, 6; Gonzalo Sabeh, 5; Wilfredo Briceño, 4; Kai Cooper, 3
- Shots: Joost Hermeling, 7; Kai Cooper, 7; Gonzalo Sabeh, 6; Wilfredo Briceño, 6
- Shots on goal: Joost Hermeling, 5; Kai Cooper, 4; Gonzalo Sabeh, 3; Wilfredo Briceño, 3
- Goalkeeper saves: Ramon Ferrari, 15
- Goals-against average: Ramon Ferrari, 1.07
- Save percentage: Ramon Ferrari, .789
