Marshall University Athletics
@HerdWSoccer Home Opener Set for Sunday
8/23/2014 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
MATCH 2: VCU (0-1-0, 0-0-0 A-10) AT MARSHALL (0-1-0, 0-0-0 C-USA)
Sunday, Aug. 24 | 1 p.m. ET
Huntington, W.Va. | Veterans Memorial Soccer Complex (1,006)
| Live Video | Live Radio | Twitter
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. - Marshall women's soccer will host VCU in its home opener at Veterans Memorial Soccer Complex, Sunday, at 1 p.m.
Live stats and live video will be available through the women's soccer schedule page, and live in-match updates will be available through the official Marshall women's soccer twitter: @HerdWSoccer.
HAVE YOU HERD?
Although redshirt junior goalkeeper Lizzie Kish (Boyertown, Pa.) saved a penalty kick attempt by Morgan Brian, an active member of the U.S. Women's National Team, the Thundering Herd fell, 3-0, to No. 3 Virginia in its season opener under Friday night lights at Klöckner Stadium (Aug. 22). The Cavaliers led the Herd in shots (26-1) and corner kicks (9-1). Kish made six saves on the night while the Hoos' Morgan Stearns and Jessie Ferrari fended off zero shots on goal. Brian and Shaffer led Virginia with four shots each, while junior Kelly Culicerto (Charlotte, N.C.) took the Herd's only shot of the night.
OLD DOMINION OUTINGS
This season, Marshall will take on five teams from Coach Kevin Long's home state of Virginia. The Herd's first four opponents of the 2014-15 campaign are all from the Old Dominion State. In exhibition play, the Herd dropped a 4-0 decision to No. 5 Virginia Tech, 4-0 (Aug. 14), and defeated VMI, 1-0 (Aug. 17). To begin its regular season, Marshall took No. 3 Virginia (Aug. 22), losing 3-0. Next, Marshall has its home opener versus VCU (Aug. 24). The Herd will face one more Virginia opponent when it travels to Norfolk to face Conference USA foe Old Dominion (Oct. 5).
Marshall's roster has four Virginians - senior Cece Scott (Radford), junior Brittany Entz (Glen Allen), sophomore Sydney Arnold (Stafford) and freshman Morgan Mays (Amherst).
All-time, the Herd is 5-8-2 against teams from Virginia. When playing in Virginia, Marshall is 2-7-0 all-time.
LONG STORY SHORT
Quotes by Coach Kevin Long:
On the Herd's performance against No. 3 Virginia (Aug. 22)
"We knew that we were going to see a lot of possession from Virginia. They didn't disappoint. They possessed it quite a bit in the second half. I think we just saw the work rate required to play at this level for 90 minutes. It's something we're not used to. We learned a lot about our needs and how we need to play as we go down the road. I'm excited to get after it again on Sunday."
PRESEASON HONORS
Three members of the Herd have earned 2014 preseason honors. Senior defender Alyssa Cathey (Fort Collins, Colo.) was named one of Conference USA's Top 20 Players to Watch by Top Drawer Soccer, Friday. Cathey and junior forward Erin Simmons (Gahanna, Ohio) earned second-team honors by College Sports Madness (Aug. 1) alongside redshirt junior Lizzie Kish (Boyertown, Pa.), who was named first team goalkeeper.
HOME SWEET HOME
Marshall will debut new white kits against VCU in its home opener at Veterans Memorial Soccer Complex, Sunday. The Herd is 9-6-1 all-time in home openers, and won the first opening day at Veterans Memorial Soccer Complex when it defeated Campbell last season, 3-0 (Aug. 23, 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.
SCOUTING THE RAMS
VCU began the 2014 season against the same three opponents that the Herd has faced so far: VMI, No. 3 Virginia and No. 5 Virginia Tech. The Rams defeated VMI (1-0) and fell to Virginia in exhibition (5-0), and most recently dropped 6-0 decision to Virginia Tech.
The Herd is 0-2-0 all-time versus the Rams, last meeting Aug. 26, 2011, in a 4-1 loss in Richmond, Va. Sunday will be the teams' first meeting in Huntington.
UP NEXT
The Herd will travel to Charleston, Ill., for a first meeting with Eastern Illinois, Friday, Aug. 29, at 2 p.m. For all the latest information about Marshall women's soccer, follow @HerdWSoccer on Twitter.
---HerdZone.com---
