Sports, WVU Sports

West Virginia men’s soccer opens MAC play, hosts Western Michigan

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – The West Virginia men’s soccer team opens up conference play today hosting Western Michigan at 1 p.m.

“Western Michigan is a good team and have been for a number of years,” West Virginia coach Marlon LeBlanc said. “We’re blessed to be in such a tough conference where the games are these types of games, but at the same stage, we’re in the business of playing top competition and trying to win.”

Today marks the ninth meeting for the two Mid-American Conference teams and the all-time record is locked at 3-3-2. The last eight meetings have ended as one-goal games or draws.

The Mountaineers (6-4-1) are the defending MAC regular-season champions and last defeated the Broncos (7-4) on Oct. 6, 2018, in Kalamazoo, Mich., 2-1.

The Mountaineers are ranked No. 1 in the MAC in corner kicks (67), No. 2 in goals (19) and No. 3 in shots (140). Andres Muriel Albino is No. 2 in the league  in goals and points with six and 13, respectively.

The Broncos, on the other hand, are ranked No. 1 in the MAC and No. 20 in the nation in goals (23), and are No. 17 in the nation in points per game (6.6).

WVU will need to contain leading-scorer Anthony Bowie who has five goals this year, and will need to defeat stingy keeper Isaac Walker between the bars. Walker, a freshman, leads the MAC in goals against average with a .861.

Live stats and a live stream can be found at WVUsports.com.

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