Published: September 16, 2008 11:33 pm      

Mountain State sweeps doubleheader

PORTSMOUTH, Ohio — One team was dominant. One wasn’t.

But both were victorious as Mountain State University swept a men’s-women’s doubleheader Tuesday at Shawnee State University.

The Cougar men recorded their fourth straight win, prevailing 2-0 on goals by Charlot Nacius and Hasan Katrib.

Earlier in the day, Erica Alderman found the back of the net to give the MSU women a 1-0 decision over the Bears.

John Birkelbach’s men’s team had nine shots on goal to just three for Shawnee (0-5).

Nacius scored in the 15th minute off an Ali Katrib assist.

“Once we got that (goal) in there, it was pretty much our game,” Birkelbach said. “We controlled the ball. They never really threatened us.”

Hasan Katrib scored his second goal in as many days, lighting the scoreboard in the 65th minute from a Gary Taylor assist.

Birkelbach had to shuffle his lineup. Striker Alex Cottle and defenders Mauricio Pena and Daniel Smith were out injured. Fredson Jean partnered with Adam Thompson in central defense and combined with keeper Roberto Clearvaux to nail down the shutout.

Thompson lost a tooth early in the game, but kept playing.

“Our defense stepped up big,” Birkelbach said. “Fredson and Adam didn’t give (Shawnee) anything.”

MSU, now 4-2, will host WVU Tech at 7 p.m. Tuesday at the YMCA soccer complex.

The Cougars’ women took just four shots on goal, but Alderman made one count in the 14th minute off an assist from Manuela Acosta.

Sophomore Christina Baker, last season’s Kentucky Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Goalkeeper of the Year, came through with 22 saves.

“It was nervewracking, but thank God Tina was on her game,” coach Kelly Borck said. “She made quite a few one-on-one saves. We were able to hold on that was enough for tonight. A win we needed to have.

MSU, which hosts Montreat College at 5 p.m. Saturday, improved to 3-3 with the win. Shawnee fell to 2-4.