Marshall University Athletics
Women's Soccer to Host Exhibition Game vs. Longwood University
8/12/2011 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
Aug. 12, 2011
HUNTINGTON, W. Va. - With practice just getting underway, the women's soccer team will play host to Longwood University for an exhibition match at 4 P.M. Saturday as the Herd begin the 2011 season. Marshall will look to build off of last season's success and go deeper within the Conference USA tournament, after tasting the post-season for the first time in the program's 13-year history.
After losing the school's all-time leading scorer, Erika Duncan, Marshall is looking to fill the void on the offensive side of the field. Filling Duncan's shoes will be seniors Angela DeSumma and Megan Tabler. DeSumma finished the 2010 season second in points and goals with 12 and four, respectively. Tabler added three goals herself, one of which was the deciding goal with three minutes left to play in double overtime in the regular season finale that propelled the Herd into the 2010 Conference USA Tournament.
The defensive side of the ball will look much different as well, as the Herd lost four of six backline starters from the 2010 roster. Marshall hopes to see stiff competition among all returners and newcomers though as the season progresses. Lindsey Kerns and Caroline Harwell bring some experience for the Herd in the net, as they played in nine of the 19 games last year. Kerns posted 26 saves and maintained a 0.78 goals against average in seven contests. Meanwhile, Harwell posted seven saves in two matches.
Being that the ladies are only a week into practice, this exhibition match gives each one an opportunity to get the game feel at an early stage. Coach Kevin Long noted, "I'm excited to kick off the 2011 campaign and see what we have in the tank after retiring talented seniors. We will be calling upon upcoming players as well as our freshman to fill sizeable gaps." He also stated, "Competition among our players has been extremely aggressive at every position, and I look forward to seeing our players push one another year round."
Coach Long enters his fourth year as Head Coach at Marshall and has attained a 24-26-7 record.
Marshall will be in attack mode Saturday versus Longwood University, who finished the 2010 season 11-8, enjoying much success on their home turf with an 8-2 record. The Lancers look to fill holes within their roster as well after losing four seniors. Longwood, however, brings back their most dangerous forward in junior Lindsey Ottavio, who led the team with 33 points and 16 goals in 2010.
