Marshall University Athletics

Photo by: Jay Slack
13-Seed Marshall Men’s Soccer Takes Down NC State 2-1 in Round of 16
11/30/2024 5:25:00 PM | Men's Soccer
Herd reaches NCAA Tournament Round of 8 for second time in program history
Box Score (PDF) | Championship Fund
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – Behind a pair of goals from Lineker Rodrigues dos Santos and seven saves from Aleksa Janjic the 13th-seeded Marshall Men's Soccer team picked up a 2-1 win over the NC State Wolfpack (10-4-5) on Saturday afternoon at Hoops Family Field.
The win in the NCAA Division I Men's Soccer Tournament Round of 16 advances The Herd to Round of Eight for the second time in program history.
"It was a very good performance in the first half," Herd Men's Soccer Head Coach Chris Grassie said after the match. "We were against a strong wind. It made it very difficult to play overtop. So they were able to squeeze us. I thought the guys did a really good job. Aleksa made a great save. We scored two great goals thanks to Linny. We probably could have scored a couple more."
In the ninth minute, a Wolfpack defender had a giveaway to the feet of Rodrigues dos Santos. The Brazilian forward took advantage of the mistake, quickly finding the bottom right corner of the goal to make it 1-0 Marshall on his 13th of the season.
Like déjà vu, in the 37th minute, Rodrigues dos Santos netted back-to-back braces in the NCAA Tournament. The senior saw the ball fall to his feet off an NC State save on a shot by Haruhi Taneda as he found the back of the net for a 14th time this season.
"It's been great," Rodrigues dos Santos said about catching fire late in the season now scoring 13 of his 14 goals in the team's last 15 games. "Like Chris said it was harder at the beginning of the season because I had just gotten here and getting to know the guys. It's good to know that even if I go down there is someone else to come in and replace me who can do the same thing I do."
Janjic stood tall between the sticks to earn his 10th win of the year. The junior goalkeeper made four key saves in the first half to keep NC State scoreless in the first 45 minutes.
The native of Serbia then made three more in the second half, including two to hold off the Wolfpack attack after Vusumzi Plamana headed one home off a Liam Bennett corner in the 77th minute.
POSTGAME NOTES
Rodrigues dos Santos registered his third multi-goal game of the season. His 14 goals are tied for fourth most in a single season in program history with his 31 points now sitting in a tie for fifth in a season in program history.
NEXT UP
Marshall awaits the winner of tonight's match in Dayton, Ohio, between the fourth-seeded Dayton Flyers and 12th-seeded SMU Mustangs.
To donate to the Championship Fund for Marshall men's soccer, please click HERE. All proceeds go directly to the Marshall men's soccer team.
For all the latest information about Marshall men's soccer, follow @herdmsoccer 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 and Android.
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – Behind a pair of goals from Lineker Rodrigues dos Santos and seven saves from Aleksa Janjic the 13th-seeded Marshall Men's Soccer team picked up a 2-1 win over the NC State Wolfpack (10-4-5) on Saturday afternoon at Hoops Family Field.
The win in the NCAA Division I Men's Soccer Tournament Round of 16 advances The Herd to Round of Eight for the second time in program history.
"It was a very good performance in the first half," Herd Men's Soccer Head Coach Chris Grassie said after the match. "We were against a strong wind. It made it very difficult to play overtop. So they were able to squeeze us. I thought the guys did a really good job. Aleksa made a great save. We scored two great goals thanks to Linny. We probably could have scored a couple more."
In the ninth minute, a Wolfpack defender had a giveaway to the feet of Rodrigues dos Santos. The Brazilian forward took advantage of the mistake, quickly finding the bottom right corner of the goal to make it 1-0 Marshall on his 13th of the season.
Like déjà vu, in the 37th minute, Rodrigues dos Santos netted back-to-back braces in the NCAA Tournament. The senior saw the ball fall to his feet off an NC State save on a shot by Haruhi Taneda as he found the back of the net for a 14th time this season.
"It's been great," Rodrigues dos Santos said about catching fire late in the season now scoring 13 of his 14 goals in the team's last 15 games. "Like Chris said it was harder at the beginning of the season because I had just gotten here and getting to know the guys. It's good to know that even if I go down there is someone else to come in and replace me who can do the same thing I do."
Janjic stood tall between the sticks to earn his 10th win of the year. The junior goalkeeper made four key saves in the first half to keep NC State scoreless in the first 45 minutes.
The native of Serbia then made three more in the second half, including two to hold off the Wolfpack attack after Vusumzi Plamana headed one home off a Liam Bennett corner in the 77th minute.
POSTGAME NOTES
Rodrigues dos Santos registered his third multi-goal game of the season. His 14 goals are tied for fourth most in a single season in program history with his 31 points now sitting in a tie for fifth in a season in program history.
NEXT UP
Marshall awaits the winner of tonight's match in Dayton, Ohio, between the fourth-seeded Dayton Flyers and 12th-seeded SMU Mustangs.
To donate to the Championship Fund for Marshall men's soccer, please click HERE. All proceeds go directly to the Marshall men's soccer team.
For all the latest information about Marshall men's soccer, follow @herdmsoccer 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 and Android.
---HerdZone.com---
Team Stats
NCS
MAR
Goals
1
2
Shots
15
7
Shots on Goal
8
3
Saves
1
7
Corners
7
1
Fouls
10
14
Scoring Plays

Lineker Rodrigues dos Santos (14)
GOAL by MAR Rodrigues dos Santos, Lineker.
08:56

Lineker Rodrigues dos Santos (14)
Assisted By: Haruhi Taneda
GOAL by MAR Rodrigues dos Santos, Lineker Assist by Taneda, Haruhi.
36:22

Vusumzi Plamana (2)
Assisted By: Liam Bennett
GOAL by NCS Plamana, Vusumzi Assist by Bennett, Liam.
76:36
Game Leaders
Players
Players Mentioned
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