Marshall University Athletics
Marshall Set to Finish Non-Conference Schedule
9/18/2008 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
Sept. 18, 2008
Complete Release in PDF Format 
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. - Marshall University's women's soccer team will conclude its non-conference schedule this weekend against Murray State University and Ohio University. The Thundering Herd (2-2-2) will begin by facing the Racers (4-4), Friday at Cutchin Field with kick-off set for 3 p.m. Marshall will then travel to Athens, Ohio to meet the Bobcats (1-4), Sunday at Chessa Field at 1 p.m.
"We are looking forward to bouncing back after our disappointing weekend at Toledo and BGSU," Marshall's interim head coach Kevin Long said. "We are eager to move forward at Murray State and Ohio."
Last weekend, the Herd began an eight-match road trip, 0-2, after two losses against the Mid-American Champions. Marshall fell to reigning MAC champion, Toledo, 1-0. Marshall then followed with a 3-0 loss to reigning MAC runner-up, Bowling Green State University.
Friday afternoon's match against Murray State will be a first meeting between the schools, while Sunday's match at Ohio series dates back to 1998. The Bobcats lead the all-time series over the Herd, 7-0, with the most recent meeting in 2004, where Ohio took a 3-0 advantage at Sam Hood Field.
"We are dominating play and out shooting our opponents, but we need to do a better job protecting our own goal," Coach Long continued. "In addition, we need to capitalize on our many scoring chances to put games away."
So far in six starts, sophomore forward Erika Duncan (Easthaven, Scotland) has three goals, with one being a game winner.
Sophomore Missy Gordon (Carmel, Ind.) stands at the top of the shots list with 18 in five games so far this season. The forward has registered 38 shots so far in her two-year career.
Junior forward Molly Snead (Cincinnati, Ohio) leads the Herd with 10 shots on goal after six matches.
Marshall has outshot its opponents 113-to-53 so far this season.
Co-captain keeper Liz Orton (Fort Collins, Colo.) has 580 playing minutes and 21 saves so far this season. The junior has registered 211 saves so far in her three-year career.
The Herd's away record so far this season is 2-2, while the home record is 0-0-2.
"These are our last non-conference games of the year and we want some positive momentum leading into our Conference USA games," Coach Long added.
The Herd will open C-USA action on the road against the University of Houston, Friday, Sept. 26, and Rice University, Sunday, Sept. 28.
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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