Men’s Soccer
By: Rhys Owens, Traffic Director, FM88 Sports’
Huntington, W.Va – Marshall men’s soccer is back in action this weekend as it holds back-to-back regular season contests at home for the first time. The Thundering Herd (2-0-2) are coming off a 3-1 win over Virginia Commonwealth University that saw three different players score goals.
Coming to town are the Utah Valley University Wolverines (3-0-1) fresh off a draw against Omaha University, 1-1. Marshall has had an interesting start to the season, seeing a miraculous comeback against George Mason to draw, as well as the win against VCU. Thiago Apolinario is leading this Herd squad, netting a team high three goals through four games. The Wolverines have been red hot to begin their campaign, going 3-0 through three games; including a win over Santa Clara University in their own backyard, 1-0. Spanish nationals Nil Grau and Jose Luis Martin Montealegre are tied for the team lead with two goals apiece.
The Herd has been an efficient machine on the season with seven different players netting goals and eight different players providing an assist. Marshall has been potent when creating shots this season with 51 total shots attempted, 23 of which have been on goal. Meanwhile, the Wolverines have had similar success in front of goal with 43 total shots, 13 on goal. Both sides have taken 21 corner kicks on the season and have a lengthy sheet of fouls with the Herd hitting the 60 foul mark and the Wolverines starting the year with 49.
In goal Marshall freshman Yurij Obert has cemented himself as the premier keeper for the side, already providing 10 saves with a .667 save percentage. Opposite Obert, the Wolverines have seen split action between Jackson Medina and Kolby Sessions, who both have started two games and registered two saves.
Without a doubt, this contest will be a hard-fought battle as the Herd is growing ever closer to conference play.
Fans can find live coverage of tomorrow’s contest on FM88.1 or streaming at www.marshall.edu/wmul with FM88 Sports’ Anthony Doria and Ethan Patrick on the call with pregame scheduled for 7 p.m. and first touch at 7:15. Coverage of the game will also be available on the teams’ X account @WMUL_Sports.