MORGANTOWN, W. VA. – In its second consecutive appearance in the title match, the No. 10 ranked and top-seeded West Virginia University men’s soccer team secured its first Sun Belt Conference Men’s Soccer Championship.With the match being decided by penalty kicks, they defeated No. 8 ranked and second-seeded Marshall 6-5. Marshall were the reigning Sun Belt regular season and tournament champions.
Graduate student Sergio Ors Navarro was named the 2024 Sun Belt Conference Championship’s Most Outstanding Performer, adding to his long list of post season accolades. The Mountaineers earned the Sun Belt’s automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament and will learn their postseason destination on Monday, November 18 during the NCAA Selection Show which airs at 1 p.m. ET/12 p.m. CT.
Marshall will also await their destination as a nationally ranked team and an top ten RPI value. The Mountaineers had the most offensive presence in the first half, outshooting the Herd 6-3, with three shots on goal. Marshall goalkeeper Aleska Janjic had a standout first half performance, making three incredible saves to keep West Virginia off the scoreboard. Stellar defense on each side would keep both teams scoreless through the first 45 minutes of action.
In a rivalry that is known for its chippy play, both teams played physical with Marshall being shown two yellow cards for unsporting in the first half and the two teams combing for 20 total fouls in the first half. Less than 10 minutes into the second half, Marshall’s Joao Roberto would receive the teams third yellow card of the game for unsporting.
In the 62nd-minute West Virginia would be shown its first yellow card, this time on defender Carlos Hernando. Marshall would collect four total yellow cards in regulation while West Virginia had three. The Herd would also collect their most fouls in a single game all season with 21. In the second half shots would be even at four a piece, with the Mountaineer’s having the only shot on goal. Neither team could find the back of the net, leading to extra time.
The Mountaineers outshot the Herd 3-1 in the first overtime period, again forcing Marshall’s net minder Janjic to make a tough save on a shot by Mountaineer’s forward Simon Carlson. Both defenses would hold strong and force a second overtime.Gritty play again ensued in the second overtime with Marshall receiving three yellow cards for unsporting. West Virginia once again had the advantage in shots 3-0 but was unable to get on the scoreboard.
The title would be decided in penalty kicks, with West Virginia’s forward Sergio Ors Navarro having the first attempt. His ball would hit off both posts before rolling past Janjic, converting on the first attempt.Marshall would respond with forward Alexander Stjernegaard sending one into the ipper left corner. The two teams would go goal-for-goal through five, sending it to extra kicks. West Virginia’s Dyon Dromers would have the sixth attempt, sending a ball into the bottom right of the net. Marshall’s Joao Roberto would take the Herd’s sixth attempt that would ultimately be stopped by Bonnaire, securing the win for the Mountaineers.
2024 Sun Belt Men’s Soccer All-Tournament Team
Most Outstanding Performer – Sergio Ors Navarro, F, West Virginia
Carlos Hernando, D, West Virginia
Felix Ewald, M, West Virginia
Otto Ollikainen, M, West Virginia
Aleksa Janjic, GK, Marshall
Alex Bramford, D, Marshall
Lineker Rodrigues Dos Santos, F, Marshall
Logan Dorsey, F, Kentucky
Martin Soereide, M, Kentucky
Kevin Larsson, F, James Madison
Sebastian Conlon, GK, James Madison
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