Published: July 22, 2008 11:03 pm         

PBS stations to televise WVU soccer matches

MORGANTOWN — Success by West Virginia University’s men’s and women’s soccer programs in 2007 has warranted television of five matches this fall, West Virginia PBS announced.

The first PBS broadcast is scheduled for Sunday, Aug. 31, at 2 p.m., when the men’s team hosts Duquesne at Dick Dlesk Soccer Stadium.

“We have what I think is one of the more competitive schedules in America,” men's coach Marlon LeBlanc said. “We compete in one of the top soccer conferences in the country. Being on statewide television is a wonderful opportunity to highlight how our program has developed over the years.”

In 2007, the men’s squad posted a 14-6-2 overall record, which included a 7-2-0 mark at home. The team reached the quarterfinals of the Big East tournament, and after knocking off Virginia, 1-0, in the first round of the NCAA tournament, it advanced to the Sweet 16 for the first time since 1981.

Other men’s games slated to be televised are Wednesday, Oct. 15, at 8 p.m., against Ohio State, and Tuesday, Oct. 21, at 8 p.m. against Maryland. The Mountaineers will be at home for those two games as well.

The two women’s soccer telecasts also will be in Morgantown on Sunday, Sept. 28, at 1 p.m., against Syracuse and on Sunday, Oct. 19, at 1 p.m. against Villanova.

“We are very excited that West Virginia PBS and ESPNU will be broadcasting some of our games this fall,” women’s coach Nikki Izzo-Brown, said. “This is a great opportunity for a lot of fans that normally would not get a chance to see us play to watch us on television. These games will also allow soccer fans to watch Big Eassoccer, one of the best conferences in the country.”

Izzo-Brown guided her squad to an 18-5-2 mark last season, with a 13-2-0 record at Dick Dlesk Soccer Stadium. After capturing the Big East championship, the team marched on to the NCAA Elite Eight for the first time in program history.