BUCKHANNON -- The University of Charleston men's soccer team entered their game today with the West Virginia Wesleyan Bobcats with a perfect and unblemished record.
Ranked second in the nation, the Golden Eagles started the day with a perfect 9-0-0 record.
They didn't leave Wesleyan though with that perfect record intact.
That is because the Bobcats stunned the Golden Eagles with a 1-1 tie in double overtime at the Wood Street Field.
"It feels great to get a point from this game," remarked head coach Gavin Donaldson. "No one else had so far this year. The whole team did a great job."
Charleston dominated the first half and scored just 10 minutes in when Augusto Maciel charged the the net from left side of the field and scored from a difficult angle just a few yards out.
After surviving the first half, Wesleyan returned the favor and scored their goal in the 57th minute.
Wesleyan took advantage of a free kick when Thomas Capstick scored on a header from a free kick by Jens Demul.
That 1-1 score would stand the rest of the way.
Charleston had an outstanding opportunity to win the game just two minutes into the first overtime session.
Wesleyan keeper Felipe Vial had come out to make a save and Maciel received the ball and put a shot back in on net, but Wesleyan defender R.J. Sho-Silva stopped the ball from going in the net and cleared it away.
Wesleyan had their best chance to win the match in the second overtime with just seconds remaining.
Alex Zidani fired off two shots in front of the Charleston goal that were blocked and with the clock showing one second, Jordan Halpern's shot went just inches high over the net.
"Charleston had us on our heels in the first half, but I thought after we scored our goal, it was a pretty even game after that," Donaldson said. "We certainly put ourselves in a chance to win the game late."
Charleston owned a 7-5 margin in shots-on-goal and a 9-2 advantage in corner kicks.
Charleston was whistled for 16 fouls including four yellow cards while Wesleyan was guilty of 13 fouls and one yellow card.
Vial made six saves for Wesleyan in the net.
"Felipe did a great job today," Donaldson said. "He made three big saves in the first half that really kept us on the game."
The tie left Wesleyan with a 4-3-2 record overall and 3-2-1 in the MEC.
They will return to action Wednesday when they travel to Lock Haven (Pa.) for a non-conference clash.
"The tie was great but it is going to be short-lived," Donaldson concluded. "We have to get ready for Lock Haven on Wednesday."
(Photo courtesy of Peter Galarneau Jr.)
