Marshall University Athletics
Marshall University
4-9-5, 2-5-3
No. 7 App State
6-9-4, 5-5-0
Marshall Women’s Soccer Advances to Sun Belt Quarterfinals Following 2-1 Overtime Victory
10/31/2022 8:51:00 PM | Women's Soccer
Herd will face South Alabama in Sun Belt quarterfinals
FOLEY, Ala. – When Kat Gonzalez received the ball at midfield with space in the second minute of overtime, there was no doubt what the graduate senior was capable of doing. The Sun Belt Second Team-All Conference member maneuvered her way down the field, sending a strike into the upper right corner to give the Marshall women's soccer team a 2-1 lead they would not surrender in overtime of the opening round of the Sun Belt Tournament.
The win advances head coach Michael Swan's team to the tournament quarterfinals.
"We played with no fear tonight and it showed over the 90 minutes and overtime," Swan said. "We said to match their physicality and then get the ball down and play and we did that so well in the latter part of the game. What a way to win it with the goal Kat scored, wow!!"
Marshall played a strong opening half, with Sun Belt First Team-All Conference member Morgan White creating several chances. The Herd had five shots in the opening half, two of which were on goal.
It was the Mountaineers who were able to break the lock with 33 seconds remaining before halftime, however. A free kick opportunity put into the box turned into App State's opening goal in the 45th minute. Freshman Alexis Wolgemuth made the best of her three first half saves off of a separate free kick earlier in the match.
White's consistent pressure paid off in the 59th minute for the Herd. The Cincinnati native pushed past the App State defense on a counter attack, finding Makai Laguines in the box who finished her third goal of the season to level the scoring.
"Makai's determination to get in front of the defender after Morgan did so well to get out wide was phenomenal," Swan added. "But the team performance was the most impressive part of tonight. So proud of our program."
The Marshall backline remained calm under pressure for the final half hour of regulation. Wolgemuth made four saves total in the match. Both teams remained level after 90 minutes, initiating two-10 minute halves in overtime.
Following Gonzalez's breakthrough in the 92nd minute, the Herd's defense maintained the lead, coming away with the 2-1 victory in overtime.
The 10th-seeded Thundering Herd will now meet the second-seeded South Alabama Jaguars. Kickoff will be at 2:30 p.m. ET on Wednesday. The two teams did not meet in the regular season.
For the bracket and all championship central information, view HERE:
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Team Stats
Shannon Studer (3)
Assisted By: Mumu Guisasola , Skyler Walk
GOAL by APP Studer, Shannon Assist by Guisasola, Mumu and Walk, Skyler.
44:23
Makai Laguines (3)
Assisted By: Morgan White
GOAL by MAR Laguines, Makai Assist by White, Morgan.
58:56
Kat Gonzalez (6)
GOAL by MAR Gonzalez, Kat.
91:15
