CHARLESTON – In a battle of two nationally-ranked teams, it was No. 1 Charleston that came out victorious over No. 22 West Virginia Wesleyan tonight in a Mountain East Conference men's soccer match-up at Schoebaum Stadium.
The game was deadlocked at 3-3 with just three minutes remaining, but Charleston scored twice in that final three-minute span to survive with a 5-3 win.
Charleston scored in the 25th minute and the 29th minute to take an early 2-0 lead.
Paul Smith put Wesleyan on the scoreboard in the 32nd minute with a goal. Matthew Bentley was credited with the assist.
Robin Lapert of Charleston scored right before the half to give the Golden Eagles a 3-1 lead going into the intermission.
Wesleyan fought back and tied the score at 3-3 in the second half.
Bentley put one in the back of the net past Charleston keeper Paulo Pita after taking a pass from Ross Grizzard in the 60th minute to make it a 3-2 contest.
Smith tallied his second goal of the game in the 76th minute to make it a 3-3 game. Luca Falconieri set up the goal for the assist.
In the 87th minute, Charleston's Patrick Guier was awarded a penalty kick in which he scored on to give Charleston a 4-2 lead.
With 90 seconds left, Charleston's Gabriel Cagral scored to ice the game for the Golden Eagles.
Charleston held a 15-6 advantage in shots and a 10-5 margin in shots-on-goal.
Wesleyan keeper Cooper Zent turned away five shots.
The Bobcats were guilty of nine fouls while Charleston was called for 10.
The win improved Charleston to 9-0 overall and 5-0 in the MEC.
Wesleyan fell to 6-2-1 overall and 5-1 in the MEC.
The Bobcats will play again this Saturday at home against Lock Haven in a non-conference clash at 4 p.m.
