Marshall University Athletics
Men's Soccer Set to Square Off Against Memphis
10/16/2007 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
Oct. 16, 2007
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. - The Marshall University men's soccer team will host Conference USA foe, Memphis, Wednesday, Oct. 17 at Sam Hood Field. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.
The Herd enters Wednesday's match with a 7-4-1 overall record and 1-1-0 in C-USA action, while the visiting Tigers hold a 6-2-3 record and are 1-0-2 in conference action.
The Herd and Tigers have met twice dating back to the 2005 season. In the first contest between the two schools, Marshall defeated Memphis, 1-0 after Dana Heimbecker scored the game-winning goal in the 90th minute. Last year, Marshall traveled to Memphis and the Tigers got their revenge as they defeated the Herd, 3-0.
Marshall is coming off its first conference loss of the season, as they fell to No. 10 SMU, 3-0. SMU got a pair of first half goals to take a 2-0 lead into halftime. The Herd stormed out in the second half with numerous opportunities to score, but were unable to locate the back of the net. The Mustangs secured the victory with their third goal of the night off a direct kick.
The Tigers are coming off a conference win as they defeated the Kentucky Wildcats, 3-1 last weekend. Memphis also tied No. 20 Tulsa, 3-3 to earn its second tie in conference action.
The Herd will look to regain the success it saw at the beginning of the season as it will rely on its core of veteran players. Senior Jeff Lenix has continually provided shutdown defensive support against opposing offensive threats.
Junior forward Kolby LaCrone still leads the Herd in points with 13 after his six goals this season. Senior Jermaine Johnson trails LaCrone with 9 points. Sophomore JD Hill continues to be the set up man with a team-leading five assists.
Memphis has three different players with three or more goals to lead its offensive attack. Jared Britcher is the main threat with four goals and three assists and is the points leader on the team with 11. Kevin Walsh and Ryan Ruble trail with nine and eight points respectively. The Tigers average 1.89 goals per game and are holding opponents to just 1.03 goals per game.
Head coach Bob Gray has 378 wins in his 31 years of coaching. His 375th win came at home when the Thundering Herd defeated Western Kentucky, 2-1 in double overtime to conclude the Herd Classic.
Marshall soccer can be heard on WMUL 88.1 FM or on the internet at www.marshall.edu/wmul. Game Tracker will also be available on the Marshall homepage at www.heardzone.com.
