Marshall University Athletics
Marshall University
3-8-5, 2-4-3
Texas State
11-4-2, 5-3-1
Herd Women’s Soccer Explodes in 4-1 Win over Texas State
10/23/2022 5:32:00 PM | Women's Soccer
Gonzalez brace leads the offensive attack
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – An offensive explosion brought the Marshall women's soccer team three points closer to qualifying for the Sun Belt Conference Tournament. The Thundering Herd controlled one of the leaders of the west, the Texas State Bobcats, 4-1
Coach Swan's side outshot the Bobcats, 13-11, holding 55 percent of the possession. The Thundering Herd have been finding their form as of late against the top competition in the Sun Belt. A draw against east leading JMU was followed up with a crucial road draw at Coastal Carolina, before Sunday's massive result against Texas State. Head women's soccer coach Michael Swan sees the fight down the stretch from his team.
"We're delighted," Swan said. "We have a graph in the locker room of the table, as we've faced the top teams in the league. We've challenged them, we've scored goals, and we're finishing strong."
Marshall controlled the pace from the opening whistle, with Kat Gonzalez putting the hosts in front. In the 6th minute, Gonzalez forced a turnover and without hesitation took a strike from 25 yards out to put the Herd in front early.
Texas State, a team who entered Sunday's contest with 16 points, equalized in the 20th minute off a header in the box. Freshman goalkeeper Alexis Wolgemuth would not give up a goal beyond that point, facing 11 shots total. Marshall and the Bobcats went into halftime even at a goal apiece.
Marshall wasted no time in the second half either, with the team's leading scorer Morgan White getting back on the board in the 50th minute. Makai Laguines set up White with a volley down the right side which the Cincinnati native thundered past the Texas State keeper.
As the hosts took the lead, Coach Swan's side maintained the pressure with a dizzying three minute span. Laguines set up Gonzalez for her second strike from the top of the box to put Marshall in front, 3-1. Two minutes later, Luiza Travassos joined in the scoring parade, striking a loose ball in the box to give Marshall their fourth goal. Marshall controlled the match for the final half hour, coming away with the 4-1 victory.
Sunday was the first four goal performance against a conference foe from the women's soccer program since the team scored six against FIU on September 29, 2019.
Gonzalez now has five goals on the season following her brace on Sunday. The graduate senior is second in the conference in shots and shots per game.
"I think we've been working really hard," Gonzalez said. "We are working every single day to be where we want to be and are growing as a team."
The Thundering Herd (3-8-5, 2-4-3 Sun Belt) now has nine points entering decision day against ODU.
"I think we need to focus, not get ahead of ourselves and realize that today was a really good win, and now we keep working and moving forward," Gonzalez added.
UP NEXT
Marshall closes out the regular season on the road against Old Dominion on Thursday, October 27. Kickoff from Norfolk will be at 7:00 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
Kat Gonzalez (5)
GOAL by MAR Gonzalez, Kat.
05:56
Madi Goss (9)
Assisted By: Zoe Junior , Chloe Jones
GOAL by TSU Goss, Madi Assist by Junior, Zoe and Jones, Chloe.
19:11
Morgan White (9)
Assisted By: Makai Laguines
GOAL by MAR White, Morgan Assist by Laguines, Makai.
49:01
Kat Gonzalez (5)
Assisted By: Makai Laguines
GOAL by MAR Gonzalez, Kat Assist by Laguines, Makai.
60:13
Luiza Travassos (4)
GOAL by MAR Travassos, Luiza.
62:07
