Marshall University Athletics
Men's Soccer Set To Host UAB
10/19/2007 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
Oct. 19, 2007
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. - The Marshall University men's soccer team will host Conference USA foe, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Saturday, Oct. 20 at Sam Hood Field. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.
The two schools are looking for a victory to break out of recent slumps. The Herd enters Saturday's match riding a two game losing streak. Marshall fell to then 10th-ranked SMU, 3-0 and gave up a late second half goal to suffer its second conference loss to Memphis, 2-1. The Herd is 7-5-2 overall and 1-2-0 in C-USA.
UAB is still looking for its first conference victory after its 0-4-0 start. The Blazers started the season 5-2 culminated by a 2-1 victory over No. 10 Indiana. However, since the big upset, UAB has been 0-5-1 in its last six games.
Senior John Daniele was the lone Herd who recorded a goal in last week's action. Daniele has three goals on the season and five in his career. Brother Nick recorded his second assist of the season and career during the Memphis contest.
The Herd is still led by its forward Kolby LaCrone and his six goals. He is followed by senior Jermaine Johnson and Daniele both with three. Sophomore JD Hill ranks among the best with his five assists thus far.
Defensively, Jeff Lenix continues to anchor the Herd defense. Freshman Kendall Sutton made his fourth career start against UAB and has been a solid player, while filling in for the injured Matt Dickerson. Brandon Lacko and Nick Daniele have both played consistent in their attempts to shutdown opposing forwards.
Junior transfer Craig Ratanamorn started his eight straight match of the season for the injured Brad Kennedy. Ratanamorn surrendered three goals in the first six starts, but increased his season total to eight after the last two matches.
Head coach Bob Gray will be going for his 379th career victory against UAB. Gray reached the 375th victory milestone after a 2-1 double overtime victory against Western Kentucky. Currently, Gray ranks sixth in wins among active coaches.
The Blazers have two players that are in double digits in points. Dejan Jakovic has six goals and an assist on the year, while Frank Brown has tallied four goals and three assists this season. Goalkeeper Wes Johnson has made every start for UAB in goal and has a 1.08 goals against average after surrendering 14 goals.
UAB has controlled the all-time series against Marshall, 3-0. The two teams met for the first time in Huntington, W.Va., in 2005 with the Blazers escaping with a 1-0 win. The Herd lost to UAB in 2003 and 2006 by the score 2-1.
Saturday's game can be heard on WMUL 88.1 FM or on the internet at www.marshall.edu/wmul. Game Tracker will also be provided.
