Marshall University Athletics
Marshall University
1-5-2, 0-1-0
Southern Miss
1-4-1, 1-0-0
Marshall Drops Contest To Southern Miss Saturday Night
9/17/2022 10:36:00 PM | Women's Soccer
Herd led by Morgan White's sixth goal
HUNTINGTON, W.Va – The Marshall University women's soccer team (1-5-2) dropped a 3-1 decision to the Southern Miss Golden Eagles Saturday night at Hoops Family Field on Senior Night.
Marshall had the better offensive output, outshooting the visitors 20-16 and edging the Golden Eagles 9-4 on corner kicks, but could not convert on the opportunities.
"Heartbreaking, it really is because in between the two boxes we've played with a Southern Miss team who has been to the conference finals a few times, and we took it to them," Herd women's soccer head coach Michael Swan said. "To be honest, I don't think I'm the only one in the stadium that saw the better team come away with the loss. We've got to do better in the box, we've got to take our chances, we had bucket loads tonight, and didn't really take them, so it's tough."
Marshall held 56 percent of the possession in the first half. The Herd had seven shots in the opening half, including a Morgan White attempt that forced a diving stop from the Southern Miss keeper. However, it was Ryan Smith who opened the scoring in the 29th minute with a rocket from 30 yards out to put the visitors on the board. The Golden Eagles held a 1-0 halftime lead.
Coach Swan's side continued the barrage on net in the second half, with shots from White, Kat Gonzalez, and Abi Hugh, while once again holding the advantage in possession after halftime. Marshall's inability to capitalize on chances proved costly, when the guests tallied a second goal from Esmeralda Figueroa in the 78th minute.
Marshall responded five minutes later, when White, the team's leading goal scorer, netted her sixth goal of the season in the 83rd minute. White's goal was a beauty, turning a feed from Gonzalez and placing the ball into the upper right corner of the net from 25 yards out.
As the Herd threw numbers forward to search for the equalizer, Southern Miss countered for a third goal in the 85th minute on a second goal from Figueroa.
"We've got to regroup," Swan added. "We just had a chat about it and if we can get that spark from the bench, that fire from all of us, then it will make for a good match at Arkansas State."
UP NEXT
Marshall visits Arkansas State on Thursday, September 23rd. Kickoff from Jonesboro will be at 4:00 P.M. ET/3:00 P.M. CT.
For all the latest information about Marshall women's soccer, follow @HerdWSoccer on Twitter and Instagram.
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Team Stats
Ryan Smith (1)
GOAL by USM Smith, Ryan.
28:23
Bernadett Stefan (1)
Assisted By: Esmeralda Figueroa
GOAL by USM Stefan, Bernadett Assist by Figueroa, Esmeralda.
77:09
Morgan White (6)
Assisted By: Kat Gonzalez
GOAL by MAR White, Morgan Assist by Gonzalez, Kat.
82:36
Esmeralda Figueroa (1)
Assisted By: Ilana Izquierdo
GOAL by USM Figueroa, Esmeralda Assist by Izquierdo, Ilana.
84:32
