Marshall University Athletics
Sunday, September 5
Akron, Ohio
1:00 PM
Marshall University
2-3-1
2
at
0
Akron
0-5-0
1
2
F
Marshall
2
0
2
Akron
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Photo by: Alexa Pecorelli
Women’s Soccer Collects First Shutout under Swan at Akron
9/5/2021 4:45:00 PM | Women's Soccer
Pastoft, McVicker combine for shutout
Box Score
AKRON, Ohio – With goals from freshman midfielder Cassidy Bell and senior forward Kat Gonzalez to go with a combined four saves in net by junior Courtney McVicker and freshman Mira Pastoft, the Marshall University women's soccer team (2-3-1) shutout the Akron Zips (0-5-0), 2-0, on Sunday afternoon in Akron.
It was the team's first shutout since Sept. 29, 2019 and marks the first two-game winning streak since 2019.
"We couldn't be happier with how we played these last two games on the road," Marshall women's soccer head coach Michael Swan said after the win and concluding a five-game road swing. "We were fantastic making sure we were limiting our opponents' chances and at the same time maximizing ours. A week ago at Morehead we were down a bit after a tie because of lightning and we couldn't finish the game when we had a lot of chances that we didn't put away, but we did today. I couldn't be prouder of our performances in the last two games. Today when we finished the game I told the players and coaches three things we did well and the first was we can get on the field and play for 90 minutes with good soccer in right areas of the field. Two, we matured as a group and matured on and off the field. We have new captains and the group is bonding together well. Then the third thing I thought we enjoyed the game and showed a ton of character with how we saw out these last two games on the road. I could not be happier with the group."
Swan added, "Big shout out to Olivia Delikat and Olivia Gandee this week. It's a new partnership at the back and they've done a superb job giving us confidence back there."
Gonzalez fired two shots in the first six minutes of the game, but both were blocked by the Akron defense.
However, in the eighth minute of play, sophomore midfielder Abi Hugh sent in a cross and found the head of Bell who scored the first goal of her collegiate career to put Marshall up 1-0.
Pastoft stepped up and made a save at the 19:16 mark to keep the 1-0 MU lead intact.
After sending a shot high and seeing another shot blocked, Gonzalez stepped up to the spot after the Herd drew a penalty kick and buried it for her second goal in as many games to make it 2-0 in the 40th minute.
The Marshall defense blocked a shot in the final minute of the half to keep the score 2-0 heading into halftime.
The Green and White's offense came storming out in the second half, seeing shots from Bell go high and wide, a Hugh attempt blocked, and two shots by Gonzalez blocked in the first 17 minutes.
McVicker, who came on for Pastoft to begin the second half, made a save on the Zips' second shot on target in the 68th minute of play.
The very next minute MU nearly tallied it's third goal after freshman forward Meg Jarvis had two shots saved and freshman forward Alyssa Hardin fired a ball off the crossbar.
McVicker then made saves in the 74th and 79th minutes as Marshall hung on for the 2-0 shutout.
"We took a big step going on the road and playing these last two games in Ohio," Swan said. "I can't wait to get back to campus, to Huntington and get the Herd faithful out there Thursday and Sunday to support us as we look to begin conference play in a couple of weeks."
UP NEXT
The Herd is scheduled to be back at Hoops Family Field for the first time since Aug. 19 when it plays host to Radford on Thursday (Sept. 9) at 7 p.m.
For all the latest information about Marshall women's soccer, follow @HerdWSoccer on Twitter and Instagram.
To follow all Thundering Herd sports and get live stats, schedules, and free live audio, download the Marshall Athletics App for iOS or Android!
AKRON, Ohio – With goals from freshman midfielder Cassidy Bell and senior forward Kat Gonzalez to go with a combined four saves in net by junior Courtney McVicker and freshman Mira Pastoft, the Marshall University women's soccer team (2-3-1) shutout the Akron Zips (0-5-0), 2-0, on Sunday afternoon in Akron.
It was the team's first shutout since Sept. 29, 2019 and marks the first two-game winning streak since 2019.
"We couldn't be happier with how we played these last two games on the road," Marshall women's soccer head coach Michael Swan said after the win and concluding a five-game road swing. "We were fantastic making sure we were limiting our opponents' chances and at the same time maximizing ours. A week ago at Morehead we were down a bit after a tie because of lightning and we couldn't finish the game when we had a lot of chances that we didn't put away, but we did today. I couldn't be prouder of our performances in the last two games. Today when we finished the game I told the players and coaches three things we did well and the first was we can get on the field and play for 90 minutes with good soccer in right areas of the field. Two, we matured as a group and matured on and off the field. We have new captains and the group is bonding together well. Then the third thing I thought we enjoyed the game and showed a ton of character with how we saw out these last two games on the road. I could not be happier with the group."
Swan added, "Big shout out to Olivia Delikat and Olivia Gandee this week. It's a new partnership at the back and they've done a superb job giving us confidence back there."
Gonzalez fired two shots in the first six minutes of the game, but both were blocked by the Akron defense.
However, in the eighth minute of play, sophomore midfielder Abi Hugh sent in a cross and found the head of Bell who scored the first goal of her collegiate career to put Marshall up 1-0.
Pastoft stepped up and made a save at the 19:16 mark to keep the 1-0 MU lead intact.
After sending a shot high and seeing another shot blocked, Gonzalez stepped up to the spot after the Herd drew a penalty kick and buried it for her second goal in as many games to make it 2-0 in the 40th minute.
The Marshall defense blocked a shot in the final minute of the half to keep the score 2-0 heading into halftime.
The Green and White's offense came storming out in the second half, seeing shots from Bell go high and wide, a Hugh attempt blocked, and two shots by Gonzalez blocked in the first 17 minutes.
McVicker, who came on for Pastoft to begin the second half, made a save on the Zips' second shot on target in the 68th minute of play.
The very next minute MU nearly tallied it's third goal after freshman forward Meg Jarvis had two shots saved and freshman forward Alyssa Hardin fired a ball off the crossbar.
McVicker then made saves in the 74th and 79th minutes as Marshall hung on for the 2-0 shutout.
"We took a big step going on the road and playing these last two games in Ohio," Swan said. "I can't wait to get back to campus, to Huntington and get the Herd faithful out there Thursday and Sunday to support us as we look to begin conference play in a couple of weeks."
UP NEXT
The Herd is scheduled to be back at Hoops Family Field for the first time since Aug. 19 when it plays host to Radford on Thursday (Sept. 9) at 7 p.m.
For all the latest information about Marshall women's soccer, follow @HerdWSoccer on Twitter and Instagram.
To follow all Thundering Herd sports and get live stats, schedules, and free live audio, download the Marshall Athletics App for iOS or Android!
Team Stats
MAR
AKR
Goals
2
0
Shots
17
8
Shots on Goal
4
4
Saves
4
2
Corners
4
0
Fouls
11
8
Scoring Plays
Bell, Cassidy (1)
Assisted By: Hugh, Abi
headed home from corner cross
7:54
Gonzalez, Kat (2)
MAR Gonzalez, Kat PENALTY KICK GOAL, goal number 2 for season.
39:37
Game Leaders
Players
Shots
7
SOG
1
Goals
1
Assists
0
Shots
3
SOG
1
Goals
1
Assists
0
Shots
4
SOG
2
Goals
0
Assists
0
Players Mentioned
M
/ Women's Soccer
D
/ Women's Soccer
M
/ Women's SoccerF
/ Women's Soccer
F
/ Women's SoccerF
/ Women's Soccer
GK
/ Women's Soccer
GK
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