Men’s soccer opens season 1-1

It's rare when the West Virginia men's soccer team scores more than one goal. What is even more rare is if it does so while on the brink of losing the game.

The Mountaineers (1-1-0) had that exact scenario happen but came out on top, as they pulled out a 3-2 victory in double overtime over No. 17 UNC Wilmington at Dick Dlesk Soccer Stadium.

It was the first time since 2007 that WVU scored three goals in a regular season game.

Junior college transfer Franck Tayou netted the game-winning goal, which also was the first of his career, with eight minutes remaining in the second overtime.

"I just had one idea in my mind, and that was to put the ball in the back of net," said Tayou. "It is a great feeling for me, because it is my first goal in a WVU shirt."

Also netting goals on the afternoon were Oregon State transfer Matt Drake and freshman Allan Flott, both of which were their first goals as Mountaineers.

WVU got off to a slow start, as it played sloppily and looked outmatched by the Seahawks.

After a fiery speech from WVU head coach Marlon LeBlanc, Flott brought an immediate burst of energy to the Mountaineers with his goal in the 49th minute to even the match at one.

"It got pretty intense in the locker room at halftime," said Flott. "Being nice is good, but sometimes you just need punched in the face."

Flott's goal was the first of the season for the Mountaineers as it ended a 155-minute scoring drought to begin the season.

LeBlanc echoed Flott's statement about the halftime atmosphere and said the locker room speech was not for everyone.

"I would not have invited any minor into the locker room at halftime," said LeBlanc.

WVU's second goal of the game came with just under 23 minutes remaining in the game when Matt Drake cleaned a ball lying in front of the net.

"It was a big time confidence booster for me," said Drake.

With the victory, the Mountaineers now turn their attention to William & Mary.

LeBlanc is hoping that he will get the same offensive effort out of his young team Friday against the Tribe as he did in its opening weekend.

"I am confident in these players, and it is up to them to get the job done at the end of the day," LeBlanc said. "It is one game, so if we can go out to Old Dominion and score some goals, then it is proof. You don't just score three goals on luck, especially when coming from behind."

For now though, LeBlanc is happy WVU exits the weekend 1-1-0 rather than 0-2-0.

"If we would have been 0-2-0, we would have been better than the record showed," LeBlanc said. "We were the better team both Friday and today even though the record doesn't show it, but getting that first win is like getting a monkey off of our back."