Cougars host improved WVU Tech team tonight

By Dan Stillwell
Register-Herald Sports Writer

Mountain State University has done pretty well on the road, winning or drawing all but one of five matches.

Now the Cougars get a chance to showcase their high-powered offense at home as WVU Tech visits for a 6 p.m. contest today at Paul Cline Stadium.

“We have a very good team,” coach John Birkelbach said. “I think we’ve already turned some heads with the start of the season.”

MSU is 4-1-1 and atop the Kentucky Intercollegiate Athletic Conference standings following a weekend split of games in Kentucky.

The Cougars beat Berea College 3-0 Saturday to bounce back from a 1-0 loss at Union College Friday.

On Sept. 8, in their only other home match so far this season, the Cougars pounded Kentucky Christian University 9-0.

Three MSU players were honored by the KIAC for their recent efforts.

Midfielder Ali Katrib was the KIAC’s men’s offensive player of the week for Sept. 10-16. The 6-foot sophomore midfielder from Salamieh, Syria, fired in a 35-yard direct kick for a goal against Berea and assisted on another score.

Katrib has four goals, three assists and 12 shots on goal for the campaign.

Goalkeeper Alex Thompson is the men’s defensive player of the week.

A 5-11 sophomore from Pataskala, Ohio, Thompson had several big stops against both Berea and Union.

Thompson has given up just three goals all season and has saved 19 shots.

“That’s impressive, especially with an almost all-freshman defense in front of him,” Birkelbach said.

A week earlier, freshman Alex Cottle was named the KIAC offensive player of the week for scoring three goals and making an assist against Kentucky Christian.

The former Woodrow Wilson High School all-stater was also the NAIA Region XII offensive player of the week.

“It’s difficult to find a scoring midfielder and I’m blessed with two in Ali and Alex,” Birkelbach said. “They can create goals and score goals. They’re both pretty potent weapons.”

Tech comes in tonight with a 2-3-1 record following a tough 1-0 loss at Mars Hill College (N.C.).

Golden Bears goalkeeper Robert Searcy made five saves against the Lions.

Birkelbach said former Salem International coach Florin Martin has Tech playing good soccer.

“Florin has turned everything around,” he said. “There’s a lot of good individual talent on the team. Fans will see some players shine on both sides of the ball.”