MSU posts second shutout to open KIAC play

By Dan Stillwell

Register-Herald Sports Writer

It was ugly.

Downright disastrous, in some ways.

But Mountain State University’s 1-0 decision over visiting Cincinnati Christian University Tuesday at Paul Cline Stadium was nevertheless a victory.

“This is our first conference win (of the season) and our first home conference win (ever),” coach John Birkelbach said. “We’re happy about that and getting a shutout.”

The Cougars controlled play, holding Cincinnati Christian without a shot on goal in the first half and just one for the game.

“They had no real chances. Any shots they did have came from outside the 18,” Birkelbach said. “It was a good defensive effort from the strikers to the midfield to the defenders to the goalkeeper.”

Playing his first game in goal, freshman keeper Roberto Clearveaux recorded a shutout.

Birkelbach said MSU’s goal is to get 10 shutouts this season.

“We’ve got two under our belts and more than 10 games left, so that’s still obtainable,” he said.

MSU (3-2) took 11 shots on goal, but only two were in the second half.

Freshman Hasan Katrib Salamieh, of Syria, gave the Cougars the lead with a shot from the left side of the box 11 minutes into the game.

They had several other opportunities, but did not show the crisp finishing they used in a 4-3 overtime win over Bluefield College last Thursday.

“The offense wasn’t there as much as we’d want it to be,” Birkelbach said. “Hasan finished, but had a few more. Ali (Katrib) had a clear one-on-one, but put it wide.

“Those are opportunities we want to finish.”

He thought his team might have been overconfident against Cincinnati Christian (0-5).

“They were looking at the (record) and the intensity wasn’t there from us,” he said. “We came out rolling Thursday night and if we’d done that tonight, we’d been up several goals.”

The game was costly for MSU in terms of injuries. Sophomore midfielder Alex Cottle, last year’s Kentucky Athletic Conference scoring champion, suffered an ankle injury early in the contest and did not return.

Defender Mauricio Pena, also a sophomore, collided with a Cincinnati Christian player less than 10 minutes into the second half and suffered a head injury.

He was transported by ambulance to a local hospital.

“Those were two huge injuries,” Birkelbach said. “Our prayers are with Mauricio.

“It was a late tackle on Cottle. A shame. Who knows how long he’ll be out?”

MSU returns to action today with a game at Shawnee State (Ohio).