MORGANTOWN, West Va. - The Monmouth University men's soccer team, ranked #15 in the NSCAA Top-25 National Rankings, defeated West Virginia, 1-0 in double overtime on Friday evening in front of an announced crowd of 2,209 at Dick Dlesk Field in the 'Save Face WVU Classic' presented by Jersey's Subs. The Hawks received the game-winning goal from freshman Jacob Rubinstein (Ocean, N.J. /Ocean Township), the first of his career, in the 105th minute of action to defeat the host Mountaineers, who were selected third in the BIG EAST Preseason Poll.
"This is an important road win for us in a very difficult place to play," said MU head coach Robert McCourt. "West Virginia is a very talented team and they, along with their fans, did a great job of creating a top-notch college soccer environment. We had a very supportive group of fans who made the trip down here and they helped make the atmosphere special."
Halfway through the second overtime, junior Erkko Puranen (Viitasaari, Finland /Voionmaan Lukio [Rhode Island]) played a ball to senior Hermann Award Watch List member Ryan Kinne (Naugatuck, Conn. /Naugatuck), who beat his defender 1v1 down the sideline and sent a beautiful cross into the box for Rubinstein. The freshman showed great composure to settle the pass and slot it beyond WVU keeper Zach Johnson for the score with 104:45 showing.
"It's a great feeling to score in front of that many fans and in that kind of environment," said Rubinstein. "Ryan worked hard all game and he did a great job to play that cross perfectly to my feet, I just had to make sure I got there in time."
In the first overtime period, Monmouth keeper, and Hermann Award Watch List member, Bryan Meredith (Scotch Plains, N.J. /Scotch Plains-Fanwood) preserved the scoreless standoff with a diving save in the 94th minute. The senior made six saves in the win, logging his 26th career shutout in the process.
"Our center backs did a great job of contesting that shot," said Meredith. "This is a good start to the season for us, but we have another big game on Sunday against Binghamton."
With 96:07 showing in the first overtime, West Virginia was granted a free kick from just outside the 18-yard box, but Abel Sebele's strike hit the crossbar, keeping the match scoreless. The Mountaineers outshot MU 21-5, but the Hawks had seven corner kicks compared to two for WVU.
"It was huge for us to come down here and get a win," said Kinne, who collected his 16th career assist in the match. "We showed a lot of people what kind of team we are tonight."
Puranen showed good form in his first match in a Monmouth uniform, as his first shot of the match appeared headed for the back of the net in the 72nd minute, but was cleared off the line as the last moment.
The Blue and White return to action on Sunday when it faces Binghamton on 12:30 pm in Morgantown in its final match at the tournament.
