West Virginia University Men’s Soccer Clinches Sun Belt Championship Title
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – The No. 10 West Virginia University men’s soccer team triumphed in the Sun Belt Championship on Sunday, narrowly defeating No. 8 Marshall in a tense penalty shootout following a 0-0 draw. This victory marks the Mountaineers’ first Sun Belt Championship title, complementing their earlier achievement of winning the regular-season title—both significant milestones in program history.
The decisive penalty shootout showcased the Mountaineers’ composure, as they converted all six of their attempts. Graduate student Dyon Dromers sealed the win with a successful penalty, leading to redshirt-senior goalkeeper Bonnaire’s game-winning save that concluded the tense showdown.
WVU exhibited dominant gameplay throughout the match, outshooting Marshall 16 to 8, and maintaining a substantial 6-1 advantage in shots on goal. The Mountaineers also earned 12 corners compared to just three for the Thundering Herd. Despite a disallowed goal by junior Marcus Caldeira in the first half due to offside, WVU continued to press forward but headed into halftime scoreless.
The match intensified in extra time, with the Mountaineers narrowly missing opportunities, including a shot from Ors Navarro that struck the post. As both defenses held strong, penalties became the deciding factor in an otherwise evenly matched contest.
With this victory, West Virginia secures an automatic berth in the NCAA Tournament, with the NCAA Men’s Soccer Selection Show scheduled for Monday, Nov. 18, at 1 p.m. on NCAA.com. The Mountaineers’ remarkable achievements this season reflect a promising future for the program, earning supporters’ enthusiasm as they prepare for the upcoming tournament. For updates, fans can follow @WVUMensSoccer on social media.
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Photo credit wvusports.com
