Marshall University Athletics
Marshall University
FIU
@HerdWSoccer Clinches Second Consecutive Postseason Berth
10/30/2014 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
MIAMI - For the first time in program history, Marshall women's soccer (7-6-5, 4-3-3) clinched back-to-back postseason berths with a 1-1 double-overtime draw with FIU (8-8-2, 3-4-2) at FIU Soccer Stadium on Friday evening.
After earning one point in the draw, Thundering Herd finished with 15 points in the Conference USA standings. Marshall will await seeding in the C-USA Tournament, which begins on Wednesday, Nov. 5, at Transamerica Field in Charlotte, N.C.
Through 45 minutes, the scoreboard remained unchanged at 0-0, with the Thundering Herd leading in shots (4-2) and all four of its attempts on-target. With a postseason berth on the line, the match proved to be physical as each team was issued a yellow card in the first half.
In the 71st minute, Sydney Arnold (Stafford, Va.) struck from outside the 18-yard box into the back of the FIU net to give the Herd a 1-0 lead on her third goal of the year. Berrie Walker (London, England) assisted on the play for her first career point.
Marshall's lead did not last long as FIU drove down the field and equalized the match exactly 12 seconds later on a bomber from 25 yards out by Johanna Volz. Neither team could find a go-ahead score for the remainder of regulation, so the Herd headed to its school-record sixth overtime of the year.
With five combined shots taken through two 10-minute golden-goal periods, neither team could find the net and the match ended in a 1-1 draw. The Herd has not lost in extra time since Oct. 25, 2012, through 11 overtime matches. Collectively, Marshall has played in 11 10-minute overtime periods this season.
AGAINST THE GOLDEN PANTHERS
For the fifth time this season, the Herd was outshot by its opponent (14-9). Marshall led in saves (5-4), but trailed in corner kicks (6-5).
CHARLOTTE OR BUST
Marshall completed the field of North Texas, Rice, UTEP, Middle Tennessee, Charlotte, Louisiana Tech and Western Kentucky, all advancing to the Conference USA Tournament. The top eight teams await seeding with the tournament beginning on Wednesday, Nov. 5, at Transamerica Field.
THE LAST TIMEââ'¬Â¦
- Sydney Arnold scored a goal: Sept. 7, 2014 vs. Appalachian State (W, 2-1)
- The Herd tied in overtime: Oct. 12, 2014 vs. UTEP (T, 0-0, 2OT)
THE SERIES
Marshall is 1-0-1 against FIU, with both matches played in Miami. Last season, the Herd defeated FIU, 1-0, to advance to the 2013 Conference USA Tournament (Oct. 31, 2013).
MILESTONES
- Berrie Walker - first career assist, first career point
- Sixth overtime match of 2014 - single-season school record (previous record was five - 2013)
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
Marshall will await seeding in the C-USA Tournament, which begins on Wednesday, Nov. 5, at Transamerica Field in Charlotte, N.C. For all the latest information about Marshall women's soccer, follow @HerdWSoccer on Twitter.
---HerdZone.com---
