HAYMARKET, Va. – The West Liberty University men's soccer team turned in a strong defensive performance here Tuesday night in a 1-0 non-conference loss to Barton (N.C.) in a non-conference match at the Virginia Soccer Association Complex.
     After surrendering an early goal to the Bulldogs (4-1-1), coach Sean Regan's hard-luck Hilltoppers (0-6-0) battled the Conference Carolinas squad on virtually even terms the rest of the way but couldn't come up with the equalizer.
     The teams agreed to play at the neutral site in Virginia as a way of splitting travel costs between the schools.
     Barton freshman David Breitenbach put the North Carolina squad on the board less than three minutes after the opening kickoff when he beat WLU netminder Jorn Hocter for his fifth goal of the young season.
     The Hilltoppers weathered an early storm from the Bulldogs and momentum began to turn in their direction midway through the opening half.
     West Liberty had a golden opportunity to equalize when the Black and Gold earned a penalty kick but the shot sailed wide of the cage, preserving Barton's 1-0 lead into intermission.
     Both teams had chances over the final 45 minutes but neither could find the net as the Bulldogs made their early goal stand up.
     Barton finished with an 11-5 advantage in shots but just a 4-3 edge in shots on goal. Hocter was charted with 3 saves to keep WLU in the match throughout while Bulldog keeper Francisco Noguera made 3 saves to earn the shutout.
     The West Liberty men return to Mountain East Conference play on Sunday when they head to Buckhannon for a 7 p.m. match against West Virginia Wesleyan.
     West Liberty                                       0  0 – 0
Barton                                                  1  0 – 1        BC: David Breitenbach (unassisted), 42:34        Shots: West Liberty 5, Barton 11
       Saves: West Liberty 3 (Jorn Hocter 3), Barton 3 (Francisco Noguera 3)
       Corners: West Liberty 0, Barton 1
A: 210