Marshall University Athletics
Marshall University
Memphis
Pair of Second Half Goals Lift Tigers Over Marshall
10/17/2007 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
Oct. 17, 2007
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. - Senior John Daniele's late second half goal couldn't complete the Marshall comeback as the Memphis Tigers escaped with a 2-1 victory, Wednesday evening at Sam Hood Field.
The loss drops Marshall to 7-5-1 on the season and 1-2-0 in Conference USA, while Memphis improves to 7-2-3 and 2-0-2 in conference play.
The teams battled to a scoreless first half with each school missing opportunities to take an early lead. Marshall's Osric Flores had a chance to get the Herd on the board with a header that was placed high. Flores made a run into the penalty box, but couldn't get the correct angle on the header.
The two teams continued to play finesse soccer in the early minutes of the second half. However, the Tigers broke the 0-0 tie at the 67:27 mark as Kevin Walsh recorded his fifth goal of the season. Walsh received a pass from teammate Jared Britcher six yards out. Walsh placed his shot to the left side of the net beating Marshall's goalkeeper, Craig Ratanamorn.
The Herd stormed back and created chances to score. Senior Avneet Shergill dribbled along the right sideline beating a Memphis defender and placed a low line drive, but was saved by the Tiger's goalkeeper, Tyler Strom.
At the 78th minute mark, the Herd evened the game at one. Jira Cooley took a shot 23 yards out that goalie Strom couldn't handle. Nick Daniele rushed in and got a shot off that was deflected by the Memphis. Midfielder John Daniele finished off his third goal of the season placing the ball in the open net. Brother Nick was credited with the assist, his third of the season.
With the game looking to go into overtime, Memphis' Jordan Lynn headed a ball over Marshall's Ratanamorn that Thoms Hyland also headed, this time in the net to give Memphis the 2-1 advantage.
The Herd again raced back with shots from Cooley and Daniele, but came up empty in their quest to find the back of the net.
Defensively, senior Jeff Lenix continued to anchor the young Herd defense, while freshman Kendall Sutton made his fourth career start for the injured Matt Dickerson.
Ratanamorn tallied seven saves increasing his season total to 40 and his goals against average increased to 1.01.
With the win, Memphis captures the all-time series lead, 2-1.
Pictures from Wednesday's contest can be purchased at www.herdzone.com . The Marshall men's soccer team returns to C-USA action when it hosts UAB, Saturday, Oct. 20 at 7 p.m.
