MORGANTOWN, West Virginia – Franck Tayou was on the finishing end of a West Virginia cross and short pass in the 102nd minute as the Mountaineers topped visiting UNCW, 3-2, in double overtime on Sunday at Dick Dlesk Stadium.

The Mountaineers salvaged their weekend with the win and evened their record at 1-1. The nationally-ranked Seahawks, who were looking to equal last year’s 2-0 start, dropped to 1-1.

The overtime loss ruined a Seahawk comeback that saw senior Daniel Roberts draw UNCW even with a goal on a direct free kick in the 78th minute.

“We had the upper hand in the first half, but WVU turned it up in the second half,” said UNCW Head Coach Aidan Heaney. “I was proud of the character we showed in tying the game late, but they were able to sneak one in to win the game.”

West Virginia overcame an early 1-0 deficit to take a 2-1 lead on a goal by Matt Drake early in the 68th minute. WVU had tied the game early in the second half with a goal by Allan Flott, 4:34 into the half.

Tayou was the beneficiary of a short pass from Abel Sebele after Uwen Etuk, who finished with two assists, sent a cross into the UNCW penalty area.

UNCW opened the scoring in the 19 minute on sophomore Seph Babington’s goal at the 18:34 mark and would carry that lead into halftime. Babington was able to force a WVU turnover and convert a 1-on-1 opportunity.

Senior Brock Duckworth made six saves for UNCW, while his counterpart Zach Johnson made two.
Representing the Seahawks, who finished third, on the all-tournament team were Roberts and senior Indy Smith.
The Seahawks will have the week off before hosting the annual Courtyard by Marriott/UNCW Classic on Friday. Long Island and Winthrop open the day’s games at 5 p.m., followed by the Seahawks and UCF at 7:30 p.m.
Notes: Babington’s goal was the second of his career … For Roberts, it was his second straight goal on a free kick, he scored against Charlotte in the NCAA first round last season … The loss halted a 12-game unbeaten string for UNCW, dating back to last season … The last loss was also a double overtime decision at Duke on Sept. 22, 2009, in Durham.

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