WEST LIBERTY, W.Va. - The West Liberty University men's soccer fresh off a thrilling finish on the road, return home this Wednesday evening as they play host to California University of Pennsylvania. Non-conference action between the Vulcans and Hilltoppers is set for a 6 p.m. kickoff at West Family Athletic Complex

GAME DETAILS: 

Date: Wednesday, September 18, 2024 

Opponent: California (Pa.) 

Locations: West Liberty, W.Va. (West Family Athletic Complex) 

Kickoff: 6:00 p.m. 

WEST LIBERTY STORYLINES:

• Head Coach Sean Regan enters his 6th season at the helm of the Hilltopper men's soccer program. Coach Regan enters his 16th season overall as a college Head Coach 

• West Liberty was picked fourth in the Mountain East Conference Men's Soccer Preseason Poll 

• The Hilltoppers finished the 2023 season with an overall record of 5-6-7 (.472) and 4-6-4(.428) in conference play

• The win percentage (.472) was the highest for the Hilltoppers since their acceptance into NCAA Division II and MEC (2018)  

• The Hilltoppers are 1-2-1 through four matches of the 2024 season. 

• Ohio Dominican forced a late second half goal in the 88th minute  to force a tie in the season opener. The Hilltoppers dropped their first two Mountain East Conference matches to Davis & Elkins and Concord 

• The Hilltoppers entered the win column yesterday afternoon after defeating Salem, 4-2 

• WLU acted quickly netting their first of four goals 5 minutes into the contest 

• The Tigers attempted 23 total shots with 13 of those attempts being on Target. Callen had 11 saves on the day  

• In Hilltopper fashion, the Black and Gold found themselves on the other end of the field edging towards a shot attempt 

• Aidan Harvey found some space off a nice pass from Linus Ebbert in the 26th minute and the Hilltoppers took the lead 2-1 

• Minutes later Tim Stickland added to the WLU lead with a goal of his own in the 28th minute and the Hilltoppers took a 3-1 lead to halftime 

• Salem cut the deficit to one in the 56th minute, 3-2

• Alex Watt netted the next WLU goal in the 67th minute 

• The Tigers attempted five more shots and a few more corner kicks in the closing minutes, but the stout Hilltoppers defense and Callen held firm and took the match, 4-2 

CALIFORNIA (Pa.) STORYLINES: 

• California (Pa.) finished the 2024 season 4-13-1 

• The Vulcans were picked 5th in the Preseason PSAC West Coaches Poll 

• California University (Pa.) is off to a 1-1-1 start in 2024 

• The Vulcans drew with Wheeling in their season opener 

• The Vulcans topped D'Youville (N.Y.), 1-0 in their following match 

• California (Pa.) netted a goal five minutes into the match and held on for the win

• Lock Haven blanked the Vulcans yesterday afternoon, 2-0 

SERIES HISTORY:

Wednesday's match will be the 5th meeting between the two programs. The Vulcans won the first three meetings, but the Hilltoppers blanked the Vulcans last season, 3-0 in California, Pa. 

UP NEXT:

West Liberty travels to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Saturday for their next match. Newly appointed Mountain East Conference member Point Park hosts the Hilltoppers in Saturday afternoon action. Kickoff between the Hilltoppers and Pioneers is set for 1:30 p.m. at Highmark Stadium.