Nov. 3, 2007

Final Stats

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. - - The Marshall Thundering Herd received a first half goal from senior Avneet Shergill, but it wasn't enough as the No. 11 (NSCAA) Tulsa Golden Hurricane escaped with a 2-1 victory, Saturday evening at Sam Hood Field.

The loss drops the Herd to 8-8-1 on the season and 2-5-0 in Conference USA, while Tulsa improves to 11-2-2 and 5-0-2 in conference action.

The Herd struck first in the first half to take an early 1-0 advantage. At the 11:08 mark, Avneet Shergill placed a direct kick 25 yards out to the right side of the goal. The Vancouver, Wash., native recorded his fourth goal of the season in the process.

Tulsa mounted a comeback shortly after the Shergill goal. Midfielder Eric DeFreitas sent a shot from the far left corner after a pass from Jose Parada to even the score at the 37th minute mark, which led the teams to halftime.

The Golden Hurricane added the go ahead goal at the 56:58 mark, when Ashley McInnes sent a shot from the right corner of the 18-yard box. Hunter Christiansen was credited with the assist.

The Herd stormed back by continually adding pressure to the Golden Hurricane defense. In the last two minutes of the contest, Sterling Flunder fired a shot from 30 yards out, but was deflected into the air. Junior Osric Flores elevated himself into position for a header and sent a shot toward the goal. Tulsa's goalkeeper Dominic Cervi fell backward and blocked the shot up and over the goal to deny the Herd's final attempt.

Junior Brad Kennedy made his first start since his injury dating back to Sept. 21. Kennedy recorded eight saves in a tremendous effort to fight off the Golden Hurricane attack. He was helped out by his defense who recorded three saves during the match. Junior Jira Cooley was a new face in the Herd defensive line up starting for the injured Matt Dickerson, who's been out with a knee injury.

Marshall honored five student-athletes before the game for their hard work and dedication to the men's soccer program for the past few years. Brad Kennedy, Jermaine Johnson, Shergill, John Daniele and Jeff Lenix were recognized for their efforts in front a crowd of 1289.

The Marshall men's soccer team wraps up the 2007 regular season with a trip to the Sunshine State to play Central Florida, Friday, Nov. 9 at 7 p.m.