CHARLESTON, W.Va. – The Saginaw Valley State University men's soccer program squared off in their third ranked match of the 2024 season Saturday morning. The No. 12 Cardinals (3-1-0) fell 2-1 to the No. 6 University of Charleston (5-0-1) for their first loss of the year. SVSU was ranked 12th in the country on Tuesday after defeating No. 7 Gannon, No. 11 Tiffin, and Northwood to open the conquest.

It was a physical match as the Cardinals racked up eight fouls, five yellow cards, and a red card while the Golden Eagles had seven fouls and four yellow cards. SVSU played the final 30 minutes of the match down a man as well.

Charleston led in shots 14-3 and shots on goal 6-1 but the match was scoreless through 70 minutes of play. Charleston took advantage of the man advantage scoring two goals. The first in the 71st minute and the second in the 84th minute to take a 2-0 lead. SVSU responded in 41 seconds as Alberto Herranz scored his first of the year assisted by Evan Baker to cut the lead in half.

Nick Kay played all 90 minutes stopping four of the six shots he faced in the loss.

Up Next: Saginaw Valley men's soccer has finished their road trip to start the year and get ready for their first home match and Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference contest of the season. The Cardinals host the Davenport Panthers (2-2-1) on Wednesday, September 25 at 1:00 PM EST at Robert C. Braddock Field.