CONWAY, SOUTH CAROLINA - #4 West Virginia (8-1-2) continued their impressive season with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Coastal Carolina (1-7) on Friday evening at CCU Soccer Stadium. The win marked the Mountaineers' third straight triumph while extending the Chanticleers' losing streak to seven matches.
Marcus Caldeira put West Virginia ahead in the 22nd minute from the penalty spot after Lincoln Ulrich's foul earned him a yellow card. Coastal Carolina's Loed Klaasen equalized in the 44th minute with a well-placed shot to the low left corner. The Mountaineers secured the winner through Ethan Dekel Daks in the 46th minute, assisted by a combination play between Nacho Martinez and Braedon Smith.
The first half saw West Virginia establish control early, with Pablo Pozos recording the first shot on target in the 8th minute. The Mountaineers' pressure led to multiple opportunities, including a blocked attempt by Jimson St. Louis in the 11th minute. Coastal Carolina's defensive unit, anchored by Nate Kovalcik, weathered significant pressure but conceded six corner kicks before halftime.
After the break, West Virginia maintained their attacking momentum, with Ethan Dekel Daks testing the Chanticleers' goalkeeper immediately after the restart. The visitors made strategic substitutions around the 73rd minute, bringing fresh legs as Isaac Scheer and Braedon Smith made way for fresh attackers. Coastal Carolina mounted a late surge, earning three consecutive corners between the 85th and 87th minutes, but couldn't find an equalizer.
The statistical dominance of West Virginia was evident throughout the match. The Mountaineers outshot their opponents 19-4, placing 8 attempts on target compared to Coastal Carolina's single shot on goal. West Virginia also held a commanding 17-2 advantage in corner kicks. The physical nature of the match was reflected in the cards, with Coastal Carolina receiving three yellows, including cautions to Lincoln Ulrich and Jaland Larmond.
Individual performances highlighted the contrast between the teams. Marcus Caldeira proved decisive for West Virginia, not only converting the penalty but creating multiple chances throughout his 83 minutes on the field. Coastal Carolina's Loed Klaasen showed efficiency with his goal, while Anton Bjarkason provided defensive stability before being substituted in the 54th minute.
Tactically, West Virginia's approach emphasized wide play and set-piece opportunities, evident in their high corner kick count. Coastal Carolina adopted a more defensive stance, looking to counter through quick transitions. The Chanticleers' defensive organization improved in the second half, but they struggled to maintain possession against West Virginia's high press.
The result reinforces West Virginia's strong position in conference play, maintaining their perfect 4-0 record. For Coastal Carolina, despite showing moments of promise, particularly through Klaasen's goal, their struggles continue as they search for their first victory since their season opener.
Looking ahead, West Virginia returns home to face American University on October 14th, while Coastal Carolina travels to Georgia Southern on October 17th, both teams seeking to build on different aspects of this performance. The Mountaineers will aim to extend their winning streak, while the Chanticleers hope to end their challenging run of results.