Marshall University Athletics
Marshall University
University of Alabama-Birmingham
Women's Soccer Fall 2-1 To UAB, Sunday
10/26/2008 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
Oct. 26, 2008
Complete Release in PDF Format 
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. - The Marshall University women's soccer team finished its 2008 home campaign with a 2-1 loss to Conference USA opponent, UAB, Sunday afternoon at Sam Hood Field. The Thundering Herd drops to 5-9-4 on the season, 3-7-0 in the league, while the Blazers improve to 7-9-2 overall, 5-3-2 in conference play.
"This was a disappointing loss for us," Marshall's interim head coach Kevin Long said. "We are not capitalizing on our set pieces and are having trouble clearing our net."
The Herd scored first at the 43:29 mark as sophomore midfielder Marisa Leconte (Greer, S.C.) headed her second goal of the season into the back left of the net. Freshman forward Angela DeSumma (Doylestown, Pa.), the nation's 16th-ranked assists per game leader (0.63/game), assisted on the play by setting-up the goal with a corner kick. Red-shirt freshman Erin Blakely (Westerville, Ohio) also assisted on the Herd's only goal.
The Green and Gold tied the match at one in the 58th-minute on Marie Yempuku's second goal of the season. Carolyn Polcari set the play up with a corner kick and Ayana Russell headed it to Yempuku who placed it from the left side to the right top corner of the net.
UAB's finishing goal was off a free kick from Polcari into the far right corner of the net. Polcari's 76th-minute goal was her sixth of the season.
UAB extended its all-time series lead on Marshall to 4-0, dating back to 2005.
"We could have put them away but couldn't capitalize today," Coach Long continued. "We are going to work on getting it together for Friday."
Leconte added four shots, three on goal. Sophomore forward Erika Duncan (Easthaven, Scotland) tallied four shots, with one placed on goal.
Despite the loss, the Herd out-shot the Blazers, 19-11, with Marshall taking six on goal. UAB registered five shots on goal.
Junior co-captain keeper Liz Orton (Fort Collins, Colo.) notched three saves, while the Blazers' Kate Blankenship had five.
Following Sunday's match, Marshall recognized its four seniors, Erin Johnson (Mansfield, Ohio), Ali Lizotte (Iron Station, N.C.), Stephanie Kot (Lindenhurst, N.Y.), and Jessica Jennings (Dayton, Ohio) for their commitment to the program, university, and community.
"The four seniors have shown excellent poise and character today and throughout their years with the Herd," Coach Long added. "I am proud to have had the opportunity to coach them."
The Herd will conclude conference and regular season play against East Carolina (11-3-4 overall, 6-0-4 in league), Friday, Oct. 31, in Greenville, N.C. with kick-off set for 3 p.m. (EST).
Herd fans can view and purchase photos from the 2008 women's soccer season at http://herdsportsphotos.exposuremanager.com/ under "2008 Women's Soccer."
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