CHARLESTON, W.Va. – The number one ranked UC Men's Soccer team survived a scare Saturday evening at Schoenbaum Stadium, using overtime to defeat visiting Salem International University 2-1 to win their 15
th straight game on the season.
Just the Basics
SCORE - Charleston 2, Salem International 1 (OT)
TEAM RECORDS – Charleston (15-0, 10-0 MEC), Salem International (7-6-2)
How it Happened
University of Charleston welcomed in a young Salem International University team for a non-conference matchup and the Golden Eagles got all they could handle from the Tigers. Salem started on the front foot, nearly scoring in the first minute of the match but Paulo Pita came with a big save to avoid the rough start. UC hasn't trailed in a match since their first game of the season, falling behind Mercyhurst, 1-0, before rallying for a 3-1 victory.
After a shaky start, UC got back into form and controlled the remainder of the half but couldn't find the back of the net to send the game into halftime scoreless between the Golden Eagles and the Tigers. A little over 15 minutes passed in the second half before UC's Freddie Tracey cleaned up a bouncing ball in the box off a Charleston corner to take a 1-0 lead over Salem.
The Tigers wouldn't go away though and 11 minutes later Salem evened the match at 1-1 after a solid finish from Federico Toschi that beat Pita. The game opened up a bit with both teams creating chances in the final 18 minutes but neither were able to finish the match in regulation, sending UC to their first overtime match of the season.
It was in the 100
th minute when UC's Gabriel Cabral weaved his way through the Tiger defense before being dragged down in the box by Salem's Vitor Teixeira to set up a penalty kick for the Golden Eagles. Will Roberts took the ball, placed on the spot, and converted the PK to keep Charleston's undefeated season intact.
Up Next
-Charleston makes a trip to Buckhannon, W.Va. on Wednesday evening to take on the West Virginia Wesleyan College Bobcats. First whistle is set for 7:00 p.m.
