CHARLESTON, W.Va. – The preseason ranked #1 Golden Eagles played to a 0-0 tie with the visiting Cardinals from Saginaw Valley State University at Schoenbaum Stadium on Thursday evening to open the 2018 season.

Just the Basics

SCORE -   University of Charleston 0, Saginaw Valley State 0
LOCATION - Charleston, W.Va.
TEAM RECORDS - Charleston (0-0-1, 0-0 MEC), Saginaw Valley State  (0-0-1)

How it Happened
The Golden Eagles and Cardinals played 110 minutes of soccer Thursday evening without either team finding the back of the net.  Charleston, despite controlling most of the possession, only managed a pair of shots against the visitors but were stellar defensively.  Alvaro Dean made his Golden Eagle debut and kept a clean sheet between the posts, recording four saves on the evening.  The teams combined for 11 bookings as the referees had a busy evening keeping control of a very physical match that saw one Cardinal sent off early with a red card.  Seven new faces to the Charleston program made their debut tonight as coach Dan Stratford looks to find the right combination of players to put UC back in the NCAA DII title game.

Up Next
UC hosts Gannon University on Sunday at Schoenbaum Stadium with first whistle set for 3:00 p.m.