Marshall University Athletics
Thursday, March 18
Lexington, KY
7:00 PM
Marshall University
6-1-1, 3-0-0
1
at
0
University of Kentucky
9-3-1, 1-2-0
1
2
F
Marshall
0
1
1
Kentucky
0
0
0
Fernandes’ Goal Lifts No. 8 Men’s Soccer at No. 11 Kentucky
3/18/2021 11:45:00 PM | Men's Soccer
Herd stays unbeaten in Conference USA
Box Score (PDF)
LEXINGTON, Ky. – On a windy, soggy night the 8th-ranked Marshall men's soccer team fought its way to a 1-0 victory over the 11th-ranked Kentucky Wildcats, Thursday at the Wendell & Vickie Bell Soccer Complex. Junior Vinicius Fernandes scored the game-winner in the 62nd minute.
The Thundering Herd improves to 6-1-1 and 3-0-0 in Conference USA. The Wildcats fall to 9-3-1 and 1-2-0 in league play.
"Firstly, what a great game of soccer," Herd head coach Chris Grassie said. "Driving wind and rain, beautiful pitch, and two good teams. I thought some of the passing football we were able to play, particularly in the second half was excellent. I feel for (Kentucky head coach) Johan (Cedergren) a bit, because he's got every right to be upset with their disallowed goal. But I thought our lads responded so well to the high tempo and tense atmosphere.
"Vini (Fernandes) took his goal very well. As a team we defended very well, but particular praise for Collin (Mocyunas) and Nate (Dossantos), who dealt with their very physical (Eythor Bjorgolfsson) very well. I'm very pleased with a strong team performance.
"This is an extremely tough place to come and play, so the three points was very tough to earn."
The Herd's win over No. 11 Kentucky is tied for highest ranked team that Marshall has beaten in program history. Oct. 14, 2006, the Herd defeated No. 11 South Carolina, 2-1, at home. Thursday's match was also the program's 14th all-time victory over a Top 25 team, since 1996, and the sixth during the coach Grassie era. Five of those wins have come since November of 2019, with the Wildcats being three of those victories.
Kickoff of the match was delayed 20 minutes due to lightning in the area. The rain and wind stayed persistent throughout the entire contest. In the first half, Kentucky was on the attack first with the first two shots of the match including one on goal, however Herd junior goalkeeper Oliver Semmle was there for the save. Over the remaining 38 minutes, Marshall outshot the Wildcats 6-1. The Herd's only shot on goal came from redshirt sophomore Milo Yosef in the 39th minute, but was stopped by UK's keeper.
The teams went in at the half scoreless.
Kentucky began the second half on the attack again and took the first two shots of the half, with one goal. Semmle was there for the save again in the 50th minute. The Herd then took over, again dominated possession and put the pressure on the Wildcats and firing the next six shots.
In the 60th minute, it looked as if Kentucky scored first, except the goal was disallowed due to an offside call. Just 30 seconds later, Fernandes scored his second goal of the season off a deflection from an initial attempt by junior Vitor Dias. Shortly after the goal was scored, Kentucky head coach Johan Cedergren was issued a red card for arguing the previous offside call.
Marshall's defense continued its stellar play throughout the remaining 29 minutes as the Wildcats managed just four more shots, none on goal. Kentucky's forward, Eythor Bjorgolfsson, the reigning Conference USA Offensive Player of the Week was held without a shot.
Seven players for the Herd were on the pitch for all 90 minutes. Marshall outshot Kentucky 13-9 in the match and 3-2 on goal.
The Herd returns to action on Wednesday, March 24, at West Virginia. Kickoff is set for 3 p.m.
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!
LEXINGTON, Ky. – On a windy, soggy night the 8th-ranked Marshall men's soccer team fought its way to a 1-0 victory over the 11th-ranked Kentucky Wildcats, Thursday at the Wendell & Vickie Bell Soccer Complex. Junior Vinicius Fernandes scored the game-winner in the 62nd minute.
The Thundering Herd improves to 6-1-1 and 3-0-0 in Conference USA. The Wildcats fall to 9-3-1 and 1-2-0 in league play.
"Firstly, what a great game of soccer," Herd head coach Chris Grassie said. "Driving wind and rain, beautiful pitch, and two good teams. I thought some of the passing football we were able to play, particularly in the second half was excellent. I feel for (Kentucky head coach) Johan (Cedergren) a bit, because he's got every right to be upset with their disallowed goal. But I thought our lads responded so well to the high tempo and tense atmosphere.
"Vini (Fernandes) took his goal very well. As a team we defended very well, but particular praise for Collin (Mocyunas) and Nate (Dossantos), who dealt with their very physical (Eythor Bjorgolfsson) very well. I'm very pleased with a strong team performance.
"This is an extremely tough place to come and play, so the three points was very tough to earn."
The Herd's win over No. 11 Kentucky is tied for highest ranked team that Marshall has beaten in program history. Oct. 14, 2006, the Herd defeated No. 11 South Carolina, 2-1, at home. Thursday's match was also the program's 14th all-time victory over a Top 25 team, since 1996, and the sixth during the coach Grassie era. Five of those wins have come since November of 2019, with the Wildcats being three of those victories.
Kickoff of the match was delayed 20 minutes due to lightning in the area. The rain and wind stayed persistent throughout the entire contest. In the first half, Kentucky was on the attack first with the first two shots of the match including one on goal, however Herd junior goalkeeper Oliver Semmle was there for the save. Over the remaining 38 minutes, Marshall outshot the Wildcats 6-1. The Herd's only shot on goal came from redshirt sophomore Milo Yosef in the 39th minute, but was stopped by UK's keeper.
The teams went in at the half scoreless.
Kentucky began the second half on the attack again and took the first two shots of the half, with one goal. Semmle was there for the save again in the 50th minute. The Herd then took over, again dominated possession and put the pressure on the Wildcats and firing the next six shots.
In the 60th minute, it looked as if Kentucky scored first, except the goal was disallowed due to an offside call. Just 30 seconds later, Fernandes scored his second goal of the season off a deflection from an initial attempt by junior Vitor Dias. Shortly after the goal was scored, Kentucky head coach Johan Cedergren was issued a red card for arguing the previous offside call.
Marshall's defense continued its stellar play throughout the remaining 29 minutes as the Wildcats managed just four more shots, none on goal. Kentucky's forward, Eythor Bjorgolfsson, the reigning Conference USA Offensive Player of the Week was held without a shot.
Seven players for the Herd were on the pitch for all 90 minutes. Marshall outshot Kentucky 13-9 in the match and 3-2 on goal.
The Herd returns to action on Wednesday, March 24, at West Virginia. Kickoff is set for 3 p.m.
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
0
Shots
13
9
Shots on Goal
3
2
Saves
2
2
Corners
4
4
Fouls
6
12
Scoring Plays
Fernandes, Vinicius (2)
Assisted By: Dias, Vitor
GOAL by MAR Fernandes, Vinicius (FIRST GOAL), Assist by Dias, Vitor, goal number 2 for season.
61:01
Game Leaders
Shots
1
SOG
1
Goals
1
Assists
0
fwd
Shots
0
SOG
0
Goals
0
Assists
1
Shots
3
SOG
1
Goals
0
Assists
0
Shots
3
SOG
0
Goals
0
Assists
0
Players Mentioned
MF
/ Men's SoccerMF
/ Men's Soccer
Gk
/ Men's Soccer
F
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