Men’s Soccer Plays to Draw at UAB

Box Score (PDF)

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The Marshall men's soccer team returned to the pitch Friday night for the first time since Sept. 11, playing to a 1-1 draw against the UAB Blazers.

The Herd's overall record moves to 2-3-2 with the draw and 0-1-1 in Conference USA. The Blazers are now 1-5-1 and 0-2-1 in conference.

"That was an interesting match to say the least," head coach Chris Grassie said. "They say styles make fights, well a clash of styles certainly made this interesting. I don't think we've ever had as much possession in a match."

The first period was a tightly contested, defensive bout between the two sides. Neither attack was able to find the back of the net, despite Marshall possessing the ball for a considerable part of the half. Junior goalkeeper Paulo Pita made the first of his six saves with 57 seconds left in the half, and the conference foes entered the intermission locked in a scoreless tie.

The Blazers broke the deadlock early on in the second half, thanks to Phillip Makinde's second goal of the season. Makinde took a through ball into the box from teammate Gael Mabiala and slipped it past the outstretched Pita in the 54th minute. UAB kept the pressure on the Herd following the goal, with three straight shots. But Marshall answered moments later.

After a foul on UAB toward the top of the 18-yard box, the referee awarded a free-kick to the Herd. Junior center mid Jonas Westmeyer was able to take the chance, beating Blazers keeper James Teel in the 65th minute to draw Marshall even with UAB, 1-1.

After trading shots in the latter stages of the half, the two sides failed to score again, sending the match into the first of two extra time sessions. Neither side was able to beat the keeper in the extra time sessions, with the match ending in a 1-1 draw.

"UAB is very athletic and were looking to hurt us on the counter, which they were able to on a few occasions," Grassie said. "When we have so much control of a match, we need to make sure we take our chances and don't let up with our pressure when we lose the ball. This match was there for the taking, but we'll take the draw on the road and get ready for Butler."

Marshall stays on the road for its next match, a midweek contest on Sept. 26 against Butler. That match is slated for a 6 p.m. start.

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!

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Team Stats

Jonas Westmeyer

Gianni Bouzoukis

JP Rylah

Pedro Dolabella

Players Mentioned

Paulo Pita

Jonas Westmeyer

Players Mentioned

Paulo Pita

Jonas Westmeyer

Marshall University Athletics