Marshall University Athletics
Friday, November 9
Charlotte
4:30 PM
Marshall University
(8-9-3)
1
vs
2
University of Kentucky
(16-1-1)
1
2
F
Marshall
0
1
1
Kentucky
2
0
2
No. 5 Seed Herd Eliminated by Top-Seed Kentucky in Semifinal Match
11/9/2018 9:07:00 PM | Men's Soccer
Rylah scored second goal of tournament for Marshall
Box Score (PDF)
CHARLOTTE – The Marshall men's soccer team was eliminated in the semifinal round of the Conference USA Championship Tournament by No. 1 seed Kentucky, 2-1, Friday night.
Sophomore JP Rylah scored his second goal of the tournament for the Herd.
"Tough way to go out," Herd head coach Chris Grassie said. "We were without our two centerbacks (Osmanu and Taibi), so we had to adjust and try something new. To be fair to our lads, they struggled with the new shape at the beginning, which is 100 percent my fault. It took us about 35-40 minutes to figure out the new system, and how to play without centerbacks. Once we did, we were really good.
"Unfortunately a sending off on Wednesday and one tonight really made our lives difficult. But the heart we showed to fight back with ten men was a testament to how far we've come this season. I hope we can use the latter part of this season as a springboard for excellence next season."
Kentucky got the scoring started in the eighth minute and then added to the lead in the 18th minute. The Wildcats kept up the pressure but the Marshall defense responded and redshirt junior goalkeeper Paulo Pita recorded three of his five total saves in the first half. Kentucky went in at the half leading 2-0.
In the second half, the Wildcats had a great opportunity to go up by three with a penalty kick in the 49th minute. However, Pita was up to the task and denied the Conference USA Offensive Player of the Year J.J. Williams on the shot.
In the 61st minute, Rylah took a perfectly placed cross from sophomore Jamil Roberts and knocked into the back of the net to cut the deficit to one. The Herd defense continued to fight and Pita made his final save of the match in the 85th minute. The Marshall offense could not break through, and the Wildcats came away with the 2-1 win and advanced to the Championship match on Sunday.
"I also have to mention how heartbroken I feel for Pappas, Taibi and Martinez," coach Grassie added about his seniors. "To go out this way will haunt each of them for a different reason. I wish them every success in life and I'm grateful for their contributions to the Marshall program. I know each of them have big futures ahead of them."
For all of the latest information on the Marshall men's soccer team, follow the Herd on Twitter @HerdMSoccer, Facebook at Marshall University Soccer and on www.herdzone.com.
To follow all Thundering Herd sports and get live stats, schedules, and free live audio, download the Marshall Athletics App for iOS or Android!
CHARLOTTE – The Marshall men's soccer team was eliminated in the semifinal round of the Conference USA Championship Tournament by No. 1 seed Kentucky, 2-1, Friday night.
Sophomore JP Rylah scored his second goal of the tournament for the Herd.
"Tough way to go out," Herd head coach Chris Grassie said. "We were without our two centerbacks (Osmanu and Taibi), so we had to adjust and try something new. To be fair to our lads, they struggled with the new shape at the beginning, which is 100 percent my fault. It took us about 35-40 minutes to figure out the new system, and how to play without centerbacks. Once we did, we were really good.
"Unfortunately a sending off on Wednesday and one tonight really made our lives difficult. But the heart we showed to fight back with ten men was a testament to how far we've come this season. I hope we can use the latter part of this season as a springboard for excellence next season."
Kentucky got the scoring started in the eighth minute and then added to the lead in the 18th minute. The Wildcats kept up the pressure but the Marshall defense responded and redshirt junior goalkeeper Paulo Pita recorded three of his five total saves in the first half. Kentucky went in at the half leading 2-0.
In the second half, the Wildcats had a great opportunity to go up by three with a penalty kick in the 49th minute. However, Pita was up to the task and denied the Conference USA Offensive Player of the Year J.J. Williams on the shot.
In the 61st minute, Rylah took a perfectly placed cross from sophomore Jamil Roberts and knocked into the back of the net to cut the deficit to one. The Herd defense continued to fight and Pita made his final save of the match in the 85th minute. The Marshall offense could not break through, and the Wildcats came away with the 2-1 win and advanced to the Championship match on Sunday.
"I also have to mention how heartbroken I feel for Pappas, Taibi and Martinez," coach Grassie added about his seniors. "To go out this way will haunt each of them for a different reason. I wish them every success in life and I'm grateful for their contributions to the Marshall program. I know each of them have big futures ahead of them."
For all of the latest information on the Marshall men's soccer team, follow the Herd on Twitter @HerdMSoccer, Facebook at Marshall University Soccer and on www.herdzone.com.
To follow all Thundering Herd sports and get live stats, schedules, and free live audio, download the Marshall Athletics App for iOS or Android!
---HerdZone.com---
Team Stats
MAR
UK
Goals
1
2
Shots
5
17
Shots on Goal
1
7
Saves
5
0
Corners
3
5
Fouls
15
13
Scoring Plays
Kalil Elmedkhar (9)
Assisted By: Jj Williams , Cole Guidon
Elmedkhar fires in a rebound, open net
7:04
Jj Williams (15)
Assisted By: Kalil Elmedkhar
Elmedkhar chips a cross to Williams insi
17:53
RYLAH, JP (5)
Assisted By: ROBERTS, Jamil
Roberts cross from left wing to Rylah fo
60:45
Game Leaders
Shots
0
SOG
0
Goals
0
Assists
1
Shots
2
SOG
0
Goals
0
Assists
0
Shots
1
SOG
0
Goals
0
Assists
0
Players Mentioned
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