Marshall University Athletics
Marshall University
Charlotte
@HerdWSoccer Strikes Gold, Defeats 49ers in Overtime, 2-1
10/3/2014 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
CHARLOTTE, N.C. - Junior Kelly Culicerto (Charlotte, N.C.) struck gold in her hometown for Marshall women's soccer (4-4-2, 1-1-0) by netting the 2-1 game-winner in overtime against Conference USA foe Charlotte (4-5-1, 1-2-0) on Friday at Transamerica Field.
Junior Erin Simmons (Gahanna, Ohio) got the offense started for the Herd in the 28th minute when she buried her fourth goal of the season on the underside of the crossbar from 25 yards out. The 49ers quickly found an equalizer in Sara Trexler, assisted by Martha Thomas in the 34th minute. The teams headed to the locker room at the break locked at one goal apiece.
Despite a combined 18 shots in the second half, neither team could find a go-ahead goal and regulation ended with the score still tied at one. Only three minutes into the extra period, Culicerto took a hard shot from 30 yards out that flew just under the crossbar for Marshall's winning score, 2-1.
AGAINST THE 49ERS
Marshall almost doubled Charlotte's output in shots (27-14), and led in corner kicks (7-2). The 49ers' goalkeeper, Annika McHenry, made a career-high 13 saves while the Herd's Lizzie Kish (Boyertown, Pa.) made four.
A WINNING COMBO
The Herd is unbeaten this season (3-0-1) when either Erin Simmons (Gahanna, Ohio) or Kelly Culicerto (Charlotte, N.C.) scores a goal.
LONG STORY SHORT
Quotes by Coach Kevin Long:
On the team's goals moving further into conference play:
"This was a great win for us to sort of 'even the score' from last week [with the loss against Western Kentucky]. The team played well. Our goal is to get two wins this weekend, get six points in conference play and get back into postseason contention. This is certainly a step. Hopefully we continue to play well. We had 27 shots with two goals, which isn't a great ratio, but we're still happy with this win."
On Kelly Culicerto netting the game-winner in her hometown of Charlotte:
"It was a thrill for Kelly tonight to play in front of tons of family and friends. She played well for 90-plus minutes, not just getting the goal in overtime, but all over the middle. This was a great homecoming for her as well as her sister [Kristine]."
THE LAST TIMEââ'¬Â¦
- Erin Simmons scored a goal: Sept. 7, 2014 - Appalachain State (W, 2-1)
- Kelly Culicerto scored a goal: Aug. 29, 2014 - at Eastern Illinois (W, 3-0)
- Kelly Culicerto scored a game-winning goal: Aug. 29, 2014 - at Eastern Illinois (W, 3-0)
- The Herd won in overtime: Oct. 20, 2013 - Middle Tennessee (W, 2-1 OT)
- The Herd won on the road: Sept. 14, 2014 - at Eastern Kentucky (W, 3-0)
- The Herd won a regular-season conference match: Oct. 31, 2013 - at FIU (W, 1-0)
THE SERIES
The win marks the Herd's first victory against Charlotte (1-3-0), and its first win at Transamerica Field (1-2-0), the host venue for the 2014 C-USA Women's Soccer Championship.
LET'S GET SOCIAL
Keep up with the latest news about Herd soccer by liking the team's official Facebook page: Marshall University Soccer. For live in-match updates and news, follow @HerdWSoccer on Twitter. Want to see photos and behind-the-scenes action? Give @HerdZone a follow on Instagram.
UP NEXT
The Herd will travel northeast to Norfolk, Va., to face Old Dominion on Sunday at 1 p.m. For all the latest information about Marshall women's soccer, follow @HerdWSoccer on Twitter.
---HerdZone.com---
