Marshall University Athletics
Men's Soccer Ties No. 16 Akron, 0-0
10/8/2004 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
Men's Soccer Ties No. 16 Akron, 0-0
10/8/2004
- Box Score
HUNTINGTON, W. Va. - Thundering Herd goaltender Joe Nebel (Brentwood, TN) made ten saves, many of them spectacular, to help the Herd play to a 0-0 tie against Akron Friday at Sam Hood Field.
"Our team played tough, it was a good effort against the #16 team in the country," Marshall coach Bob Gray said. "It was a game of streaks, both teams had their chances to win, but we will take this result and move on."
Akron (7-2-2, 2-0-1 MAC) came into the game ranked #16 in the nation. Marshall (5-4-2, 2-1-1 MAC) played them tough, but neither team was able to get much offense going.
It was an evenly played game throughout most of the contest, with each team having a few chances to score. Akron recorded five shots in the first half to four by Marshall.
In the second half, Marshall came out with a few chances early on, but as the half went on, the Zips offense started clicking, outshooting the Herd 8-0 at the end of the second half into the second overtime.
Throughout the second half, MU had to count on goalie Joe Nebel and he came through in a big way making four saves in the second half and three in the two overtime periods, including a point blank shot taken by Sinisa Ubiparipovic of the Zips in the second overtime.
Marshall had a few chances late in the game as Karim Boukhemis (Huntington, WV) and Kirk Gibson (Allen, TX) each had shots saved by Akron goalie Justin Christafaris.
This was the first shutout of the year for Marshall and the sixth of the season for Akron. The Zips have not allowed a goal in three MAC games this season.
The late offensive outburst by Akron gave them 16 shots for the game to eight by Marshall. Jeff Lenix (Westerville, OH) had two shots to lead the Herd.
This was the fifth 2003 NCAA Tournament team the Herd has faced this year and Coach Gray thinks that the experience of playing a tough schedule has paid off so far for the team. "I think that the early season has gotten our guys better prepared for the end of the season and it has been showing as of late," Gray said.
On Sunday, MU will face its sixth tournament team when they travel to Kalamazoo, MI to take on defending MAC champs Western Michigan. The Broncos are 2-6 this season and 0-2 in the MAC. They face Pittsburgh on Saturday before a 2:30 meeting with the Herd on Sunday.
Marshall will return home for two non-conference games next weekend when they host Alabama A&M at 2 p.m. on Saturday and Longwood at 3 p.m. on Sunday. Both games take place at Sam Hood Field, admission is free.
