A Historic Debut for Charlotte Men's Soccer
Charlotte Men's Soccer opened its season with a commanding 3-0 victory over the No. 23 West Virginia Mountaineers, securing the program's first ever win against a nationally ranked opponent. The result marks a milestone in the Kevin Langan era, delivering the 21st ranked triumph under his leadership and setting an early tone of dominance.
The match, played at Jen Gaber Field in Charlotte, North Carolina, attracted 1,583 spectators, including a record 1,183 students, the highest student turnout in fifteen seasons. The electric atmosphere underscored the growing support for the program and highlighted the importance of the home venue in building momentum.
Four fresh faces entered the starting XI, featuring goalkeeper Alex Svetanoff, who made three crucial saves to preserve the clean sheet. Defenders Vilmer Brunskog and Eirikur Beck anchored the back line, while midfielder Natsuki Ogata orchestrated play. Forward Mikey Raggett emerged as the offensive catalyst, scoring twice, and Larry Noel added a goal before halftime.
Raggett opened the scoring in the 24th minute after a fluid move involving Ogata and Beck, striking a low shot that beat West Virginia's keeper Toby Mawer. Noel doubled the lead just before the break with a powerful strike over Mawer, and Raggett completed his brace in the second half following a header from Wiktor Pucilowski, sealing a 3-0 result.
The game took a turn in the 77th minute when Julen Recalde received a red card, prompting Tom Carmeli to enter the match for the remainder of play. Despite the numerical disadvantage, Charlotte maintained composure, preserving the shutout and showcasing depth within the squad.
Looking ahead, the team is scheduled to host the Wofford Terriers on Monday, August 24, at 7:00 p.m., a contest that will be streamed on ESPN+. Coach Langan praised the collective effort and emphasized the importance of building on this early success as the season progresses.