Marshall knocks off West Virginia in NCAA men’s soccer tournament

— By David Walsh

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. — The Marshall University men’s soccer team put another feather in its cap Sunday afternoon. A big one.

The Thundering Herd, in the NCAA Tournament for the first time in school history, is going to be around a bit longer after it defeated in-state rival West Virginia, 2-1, in a second-round encounter in front of a record crowd of 2,126 fans at Hoops Family Field/Veterans Memorial Soccer Complex.

This was the first meeting between the two since 2004. WVU leads the all-time series 15-6-1.

Marshall is No. 11 seed and had a first-round bye. However, the Herd had to take the field minus coach Chris Grassie and Pedro Dolabella, a junior midfielder. The NCAA suspended the two due to an administrative error due to card accumulation. Length of the suspension will be determined later. 

Marshall assistant Petsa Ivanovic handled the game-day operation for the team.

“They are the two guys who brought us here,” Ivanovic said. “If not for Chris, none of this would be here. If not for Pedro last Sunday (game-winning overtime goal against Charlotte in C-USA Championship game) we wouldn’t be here now.”

“This one’s for them,” Herd redshirt freshman Milo Josef said.

“Throughout the season we’ve had ups and downs,” starting Herd goalkeeper Paulo Pita said. “When he (Pedro) found out he wouldn’t play, he called me. I felt for that kid. I said we’re going to win and you will be back for the next game.”

Marshall, one of three C-USA teams in the starting field, will play Washington in the third round either next Saturday or next Sunday in Seattle. The No. 6 Huskies blanked Boston College, 2-0.

 

 

West Virginia forward Tony Pineda goes on the attack against Marshall.

Marshall (16-2-3) struck early when Jamil Roberts, with an assist from Collin Mocyunas, knocked a shot past WVU goalkeeper Steve Tekesky at 9:37.

Later in the half, the Herd’s Jan-Erik Leinhos hit the crossbar on a shot from about 21 yards out.

In the 38th minute, the Mountaineers got even when Logan Lucas scored off a header off a cross from the far corner.

At 42:30, Josef scored what would be the game-winner on a header off a cross from the far side on a corner kick.

“Honestly I think the ball would’ve went in without me,” Josef said of his team-leading 12th goal.

Herd fans went crazy and Pita did the rest even though he got credit for just one save. He played in two NCAA Divison II finals while at the University of Charleston and then transferred to Marshall for his final two years.

“We played them twice when I was at Charleston, friendly,” Pita said. “Rivals, but not the same thing like Marshall. In games like this, you make sure you don’t get too emotional. I feel like everyone was waiting for this game.”

If soccer fans wonder why Pita left UC for the Herd, now they know.

“When I came to Marshall a lot of people took it personal, asked me why I was going,” Pita said. “I made it very clear. I want to transfer to a top Division I program because I want to make it the next level. Now you see why.”

Ivanovic said this day was special. Previous high in home attendance was 2,032 for a 1-0 win over Kentucky in the regular season. The Herd players and coaches had received many good wishes since they won the C-USA Championship (regular-season, too).

“It’s really nice to have. For the sake of soccer,” Ivanovic said. “You saw the atmosphere. We’re really making a lot of people happy. We really making ourselves happy. All the support we’ve received has been really nice.”

“It”s a big thing for the whole community,” said Yosef, who made a trip along the length of the stands to thank supporters. “It’s an incredible feeling to have. I love it. Just want it to go on.”

West Virginia, playing its fifth game since Nov. 11, won at Butler, 5-1, in the first round. The Mountaineers close at 10-9-2 and champions of the Mid-American Conference.

“Fantastic effort by Marshall,” WVU coach Marlo LeBlanc said. “From our standpoint, we were gassed. Our legs were not there.”

Despite being a bit tired from all the travel, the Mountaineers never quit. The Yosef goal after WVU’s score was devastating.

“It was pivotal,” LeBlanc said. “A little deflating. We had to expend energy again.”

WVU started the year 6-2-1, then slid back a bit and LeBlanc had to make changes.

“We started to concede goals and not score,” LeBlanc said. “We had to change the style. It was night and day what we did at Butler and today. We did a lot (of planning) on the bus.”

Overall, LeBlanc said his club enjoyed the day, but not the outcome.

Maybe so much time won’t pass by again before the two teams meet.

“The atmosphere … I wish I was playing today,” LeBlanc said. “We’ve been in this before. We weren’t intimidated. I hope it was a big event. It was a showcase. We’ve got some elite soccer teams playing here. Two teams competingn at a national level. Great for Marshall, WVU, whoever.

“We can have discussions (about playing yearly). So many things go into it.”

 





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