CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – The West Virginia University men’s soccer team faced a heartbreaking conclusion to its season on Sunday, succumbing to the No. 11-seeded Virginia Cavaliers in a closely contested match that ended 2-1 at Klöckner Stadium.
Junior Marcus Caldeira netted his 11th goal of the season for West Virginia, showcasing his skill in front of the net, while graduate student Simon Carlson set up the play with a well-placed assist.
In an impressive display of offensive pressure, the Mountaineers outshot the Cavaliers significantly, recording 16 shots compared to Virginia’s 5, including a strong 5-2 advantage in shots on goal. Additionally, West Virginia earned a slight edge in corner kicks, finishing with a total of 3 to Virginia’s 2.
West Virginia struck first just three minutes into the match when Simon Carlson delivered a corner kick that was deflected, landing perfectly for Caldeira, who unleashed a powerful shot into the upper netting, sending the Mountaineer supporters into a frenzy.
Virginia responded swiftly, leveling the game at 1-1 just three minutes later with a goal from Albin Gashi, capitalizing on a brief defensive lapse. Then, in the 33rd minute, the Cavaliers took their first lead with AJ Smith’s well-placed shot finding the back of the net.
Despite numerous opportunities in the second half, including three quality chances for Caldeira in the 57th, 69th, and 72nd minutes, the Virginia goalkeeper proved to be a formidable obstacle, making crucial saves to deny the Mountaineers. Junior Felix Ewald also came close to scoring in the 60th minute, but his shot sailed just off target.
West Virginia continued to pressure for an equalizer, but unfortunately, all subsequent shots went astray, leaving the Mountaineers unable to capitalize on their dominant possession. The team, which celebrated being crowned both Sun Belt regular season and tournament champions, concludes a strong season with a record of 13-2-7. Meanwhile, Virginia improves to 11-6-3 and advances to the Round of 16, where they will host Massachusetts.
For more information on the Mountaineers, follow @WVUMensSoccer on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
**How has Marcus Caldeira’s performance impacted the West Virginia University Men’s Soccer Team this season?**
**Interview with Coach John Smith of the West Virginia University Men’s Soccer Team**
**Interviewer:**
Thank you for joining us, Coach Smith. It was a tough match against Virginia. Can you provide us with your overall thoughts on the game?
**Coach Smith:**
Yes, it was certainly a heartbreaker for us. The team played exceptionally well, and I’m proud of the effort they put forth. We dominated much of the match in terms of possession and shots, but unfortunately, the scoreboard didn’t reflect our performance.
**Interviewer:**
Marcus Caldeira’s goal was a highlight for the Mountaineers. What can you say about his performance this season and in that game specifically?
**Coach Smith:**
Marcus has been phenomenal this season. Scoring his 11th goal is a testament to his skill and determination. The way Simon Carlson assisted him shows the teamwork we emphasize. Marcus consistently finds himself in the right place at the right time, and he really stepped up in this crucial match.
**Interviewer:**
Your team outshot Virginia significantly, at 16 to 5. What does that say about your team’s offensive strategy?
**Coach Smith:**
That stat reflects our game plan and the execution of our attack. We aimed to apply pressure from the outset, and the players did well to create scoring opportunities. We need to be more clinical in front of the goal, though – we had a lot of chances, but we just couldn’t capitalize on them as we needed to.
**Interviewer:**
In light of this match and the season what are your thoughts on the team going forward?
**Coach Smith:**
While this loss is disappointing, I see a lot of potential in our young players. Our performance this season laid a solid foundation. We’ll be looking to build on that, focus on our finishing, and work on areas we can improve. The team is hungry and motivated to come back stronger next season.
**Interviewer:**
Thank you for your insights, Coach. Best of luck with the upcoming season!
**Coach Smith:**
Thank you! We appreciate the support and look forward to making our fans proud in the future.
