Marshall University Athletics
Marshall University
Memphis
Men's Soccer Defeats Memphis 2-1 in Overtime
9/18/2010 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
Sept. 18, 2010
MEMPHIS, Tenn. - Freshman Matt Risher headed home the game-winning goal in overtime as the Marshall University men's soccer team defeated Memphis 2-1 in the opening match of the Conference USA season Saturday night at the Mike Rose Soccer Complex.
The Thundering Herd (5-0-2, 1-0-0 C-USA) sits alone at the top of the conference with the win and the Tigers fall to 2-3-0 and 0-1-0 in conference.
"It was a huge win for us tonight," head coach Bob Gray said. "We didn't play well in the first half, and give Memphis credit. We stepped up in the second half and I thought we dominated the rest of the match. I told them that I would have taken a tie on the road, but it shows character to come back and win. Matt Risher came off the bench and played very well for us, as did Aaron Dini. It was just a good team effort tonight and it's nice to know that we can battle back on the road and get the win."
The Herd was trailing at halftime as the Tiger's B.J. Williams broke the scoreless draw when his shot found the upper 90 in the 41st minute. But the Herd would respond in the second half when Tom Jackson headed home a free kick provided by Diego Ayala at the 58:14 mark for his team-high third goal of the season.
The two sides would play even through the last half hour of play and the game would go to overtime. But it would take the Herd just three minutes into extra time to net the golden goal when Risher found the back of the net as he headed in a free kick from fellow freshman Travis Brent. It was Risher's first goal of the season and gave MU the overtime victory.
The win is Bob Gray's 399th career victory and he goes for his landmark 400th on Monday against East Tennessee State. The match is set for 6:30 p.m. CST and fans can follow GameTracker by logging onto herdzone.com.
