MORGANTOWN, W. Va. — Beginning with the 2022 season, the West Virginia men’s soccer team will be a member of Conference USA.
The move assures a yearly conference game between in-state rivals Marshall and WVU. Marshall won the national championship in 2021.
“As we continue to build upon this year’s national championship in men’s soccer and a very deep and talented lineup of teams, we are pleased to welcome another traditionally strong program in West Virginia to enhance one of our conference’s most successful sports,” Conference USA commissioner Judy MacLeod said.
The Mountaineers will play their 10th season in the Mid-American Conference this fall and then will become the 10th member in Conference USA, along with the Thundering Herd, Charlotte, Florida International, Kentucky, Florida Atlantic, South Carolina, UAB, Old Dominion and Coastal Carolina.
WVU finished 6-3-1 last season in what was Dan Stratford’s first season as head coach. The Mountaineers finished No. 12 in the RPI, but did not receive an at-large berth into the NCAA tournament.
“We’re very excited by the news and our conference realignment for the fall of 2022,” Stratford said. “I must thank Shane Lyons, Simon Dover and the rest of our administration for their help, support, and foresight in our program’s transition. Conference USA has quickly become a men’s soccer powerhouse, with so many reputable schools that have a strong tradition.
“Our program’s ambition is to compete with the very best in the country, and we believe that Conference USA provides us the platform to do that.”
The Mountaineers won the MAC three times and played in two NCAA tournaments as a MAC member.
“Conference USA will be the new home for our men’s soccer program in 2022, and I think it’s a great and positive move for Dan Stratford, as he builds our program,” WVU athletic director Shane Lyons said. “Nine years ago, our men’s soccer program needed a new home and the Mid-American Conference served us well. We look forward to competing in the MAC for one more year and then turning our attention to a new challenge.
“I want to thank Commissioner Judy MacLeod and the conference athletic directors for the invitation and for welcoming West Virginia men’s soccer into C-USA.”
Conference USA will become the fifth home for the WVU men’s soccer program. It also played in the Southern Conference from 1965-67, the Atlantic 10 from 1987-1994 and in the Big East from 1995-2011.
The Mountaineers have appeared in 14 NCAA tournaments since the program began in 1961.
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