— By David Walsh
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. — No. 11 Marshall raced past Oakland, 4-0, Monday night in its 2023 soccer season-opener played in front of 1,492 fans at Hoops Family Field/Veterans Memorial Soccer Complex.
Thundering Herd players and coach Chris Grassie said building a team loaded with newcomers started back in late June with a trip to Brazil. The Herd got in training, team building and took part in several exhibitions while in Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro with a trip Sugarloaf Mountain as well.
“That’s where the relationships started,” said Alvaro Garcia-Pascual, a transfer from fellow Sun Belt Conference member Coastal Carolina. “That’s where the season started. It’s what we began working for.”
“We were ready to go,” Grassie said. “That trip to Brazil was solid. It helped us come together.”
Matthew Bell, the SBC Freshman of the Year and first-team All-Sun Belt in 2022, picked up where he left off from his 10-goal season. He got the first of his three goals with just 1:33 gone in the opening half.
Before the match, the sophomore learned he’s on the 2023 Missouri Athletic Club (MAC) Herman Trophy Watch List. It’s the nation’s highest individual honor recognizing the National Player of the Year as determined by the voting of Division I coaches who are members of the United Soccer Coaches. Bell netted two more goals for his first career hat trick. Garcia-Pascual assisted on two and Adam Aoumaich one.
“I don’t think about those things,” Bell said. “It’s the team stuff. That’s where I focus. If it comes, I’ll take it.”
“He’s one of the best college players,” Garcia-Pascual said. “It’s an honor to play with him. He’s a great guy.”
Garcia-Pascual knows people are watching how he fares in his new home. He scored 10 goals for the Chanticleers a year ago.
“I feel the pressure wearing this shirt,” he said. “We showed what we can do on the field. I’m glad we won. We were successful today. We’ve got to keep it going.”
Marshall, coming off an 11-4-4 season and trip to the third round of the NCAA Tournament last season, is back in action Monday at home against Wright State. Start time is 7:15 p.m.
“It didn’t surprise me,” Grassie said of Bell’s night. “Someone has to score the goals. He did what we asked him to do. Alvaro is classy, a big, strong guy. He’s a complete team player.”
Marshall piled up 29 shots overall and 12 on goal. The Herd limited the Golden Grizzlies from the Horizon League to two total shots with none on goal. Gabriel Perrotta, a grad transfer from UNC Wilmington, went the distance in goal for the Herd. He’s one of four keepers and he posted a 5-4-7 mark with eight shutouts and 0.083 goals-against average.
Aymane Sordo, set up by Theo Godar, got the Herd’s fourth goal in the 77th minute.
“We had a sticky period in the second half,” Grassie said. “There are things we can work on.”
Before Thursday, the Herd had exhibitions at Michigan and home against Robert Morris. In the SBC preseason poll, Marshall was picked second behind Kentucky, the defending league champion and No. 3 in the first United Soccer Coaches poll.
Marshall plays five of its first six matches on its home pitch. The lone road trip is September 5 at No. 5 Pittsburgh.