Marshall University Athletics
Toledo, Bowling Green Next Up for Women's Soccer
9/15/2004 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
Toledo, Bowling Green Next Up for Women's Soccer
9/15/2004
Ashleigh Woods is cleared to play in Friday's contest at Toledo after being injured in Sunday's game versus Northern Illinois. (photo by Matt Riley) |
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. ? The Marshall women?s soccer team will head to northwest Ohio in a quest for its first Mid-American Conference win as it faces off with Toledo and Bowling Green on Friday and Sunday, respectively.
Marshall (2-3-2) dropped two conference games last weekend. On Friday, defending MAC tournament champion Western Michigan dealt the Herd a 2-0 loss. MU, who was without three starters in Sunday?s game versus Northern Illinois, was unable to overcome a 1-0 second half deficit and the Huskies escaped with the win. NIU is off to its best start in school history at 4-0-1.
Katie Watson (Woodbridge, Va.) continues to lead the Herd offensively, even after sitting out Sunday?s game due to an injury. The freshman forward paces Marshall in goals (4), assists (2), points (10) and shots (16). Watson also ranks third in the conference in points and goals. Senior goalie Ashleigh Woods (Penfield, N.Y.), despite being forced to the sideline after an injury in the NIU game, leads the league in saves (50) and saves per game (7.14).
The Herd has gone three consecutive matches without a goal.
"I think the girls have had a great week of training?spirits are up and I don?t think its anything that?s weighing on us," head coach Chris Kane said. "I think we realize that we need to play better and when we play better the goals will come."
Toledo (3-1-1) defeated South Alabama, 3-2, last Sunday. The Rockets are led by Pene Hughes, Rebecca Hollis and Kelly Langenbeck, who have all registered two goals apiece this season. Hollis paces the squad with six points. UT is unbeaten at home in its last five contests dating back to 2003. The Rockets won the last meeting between the two squads, 1-0.
Bowling Green (1-5-0) made a late-season run in 2003 which ended with a trip to the MAC tournament finals. The Falcons needed a win against the Herd in the regular season finale on Oct. 26 to make the tournament and managed one despite a two-goal effort from Ellerie Karl (Oakwood, Ohio). BGSU senior Kristy Coppes broke a MAC record this season when she tallied six goals in a one game. She currently leads the league in both points (12) and goals (6). The Falcons lost to Navy, 3-1, and Delaware, 2-0, in the Navy Tournament in Annapolis, Md., last weekend.
"Both teams beat us at home by a goal last season so I think there is a little bit of a payback factor," Kane said. "You got to come ready to play 90 minutes every day. Toledo is having a pretty good season but I believe both of these are winnable games."
Friday?s game against Toledo will be played under the lights at nearby Anthony Wayne High School at 7 p.m., while Sunday?s contest with Bowling Green will kickoff at 1 p.m.
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