Tech stuns Cougars

By Dan Stillwell
Register-Herald Sports Writer

Florin Marton couldn’t have scripted it better.

WVU Tech scored two quick goals and then kept Mountain State University on its heels for a 5-1 victory Wednesday night at Paul Cline Stadium.

“That was part of the strategy — jump on (MSU) early so they realize it’s not their game,” said Marton, who took over the Tech reins this year after a long stint at Salem International.

David James scored less than two minutes into the match and Mile Dragisic followed suit in the fifth minute for what proved a quick knockout punch.

“No way I thought that would happen,” MSU coach John Birkelbach said of the two quick strikes. “This happened to us in our first scrimmage and I never expected it again.”

Although it was a home game for MSU, Tech also plays matches at the YMCA’s Youth Sports Complex.

It felt like home to the Golden Bears.

“It was James’ second goal, and the other one came here,” Marton said.

“He likes this field, and we appreciate the opportunity to play here.”

Dragisic’s goal was a line drive from the top of the penalty area.

Birkelbach had warned his team to mark Dragisic closely.

“He’s their go-to man, and the moment I saw him with the ball, I knew it was going into the back of the net,” Birkelbach said. “It was like something out of the World Cup.”

Down 2-0, MSU was forced to turn up its offensive pressure. That left the Cougars vulnerable to counterattacks, however, and Tech did just that in the 42nd minute when Almamy Sienta broke away for an unassisted goal.

“Those first two goals dicated the game,” Birkelbach said. “We had to attack and that’s how they got their other goals.”

Tech (3-3-1) got late scores from Dragisic in the 81st minute and Brent Hammond in the 87th.

The Golden Bears scored on half of their 10 shots on goal and dominated play despite incurring seven yellow cards and one red card.

“I’ve never seen anything like this and I’ve been in soccer all my life,” said Marton, who played national and professional soccer in his native Romania. “We got (eight) cards and the losing team got none.

“I will give my guys credit for fighting and excuting the game plan. I’ll give Mountain State credit for fighting until the last minute and getting the goal of honor.”

MSU scored in the 89th minute when Max Bendig slotted a rebound past Tech goalkeeper Rob Searcy.

The Cougars had several other chances in the contest but failed to finish.

Charlot Nacius hit the left post in the 51st minute and Troy Beals kicked the rebound over the net. Searcy made saves on shots by Ali Katrib and Alex Cottle, while Eric Randall and Bendig each missed just wide of the goal.

“They got their breaks and we didn’t,” Birkelbach said. “That’s the game of soccer.

“Things got a little haywire at the end (when Tech received several cards and an ejection), but my boys handled themselves very well. I’m proud of them for that.

“We’ve got some things to improve on the defensive side of the ball.”

MSU (4-2-1) returns to action against Southern Virginia University at 7 p.m. Monday at Paul Cline Stadium.