— By David Walsh
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. — Marshall coach Chris Grassie and junior Keaviano Francis have an idea when they’ve seen a good soccer match.
That’s the assessment the two offered Friday night after the Thundering Herd knocked off Kentucky, 4-1, on Senior Night in front of 2,339 fans at Hoops Family Field/Veterans Memorial Soccer Complex.
“This is the one we’ve been waiting for,” Grassie said. “We needed it to make ourselves believe that we could be a really good team. They’re a very good team, well organized, lot of good players. We executed the game plan perfectly. We did so many things. We worked extremely hard so it was just great to see. The set piece is something we pride ourselves in. We come up with the plays, attack and do a tremendous job.”
“I think as well this was our best game,” Francis said. “I’ve been waiting. It’s here tonight.”
No. 17 Marshall’s four goals are the most scored against the Wildcats in a game this season. The Herd improves to 5-1-4, 3-1-0 in the Sun Belt Conference. It’s next match is Tuesday at home against Oakland.
For UK, it was the first loss. The No. 19 Wildcats are 6-1-3 and 3-1-0 within Sun Belt play.
Marshall’s first goal came off that set piece. Alvaro Alvarez sent a corner kick into the box and Gabriel Stevanato headed it in. Francis made it 2-0 in the 42nd minute with a right-footed shot into the right corner of the net.
“Came in as a sub and coach to me go all in,” Francis said. “And stick to the game plan. I saw the guys. They did the patterns. And the ball went the way it was supposed to go. I need to make the run. The right spot at the right time. We work a lot on those (set pieces). The guys deliver every single time. Just need to make the right run.”
Just five seconds into the second half, UK’s Isaiah Chisholm first got a yellow card for flattening the Herd’s Carl Romberg. After a VAR, the referee changed card colors, went to red and the Wildcats had to play a man down the rest of the match
Marshall’s Takahio Fujita struck at 47:10 for a 3-0 lead. There was a VAR to check for a possible offside, but again the official ruled in Marshall’s favor and the goal stood. With six seconds left, the Herd’s Larry Noel sent a shot into an open net to set the final score.
UK avoided the shutout when Joaquin Brizuela scored in the 82nd minute. That happened to be the first shot on goal for the Wildcats.
“It’s sad to concede one because we want to be a little better in those moments,” Grassie said. “Especially when we make a lot of subs. That guy (Chisholm) is a really good athlete. He’s really big and puts a lot of force in and we he forearm shives in the head, you’ve got to go with that.”
Francis said the Herd picked up the pace after a Sept. 28 loss at Georgia Southern. He added the team kept its composure when the situation became combustible Friday night.
“Like he’s capable,” Francis said of Chisholm. “It was so aggressive and a boost for us. It gave us more composure. Everybody started relaxing because now the game’s under control. After that loss, everybody’s mindset changed. We gave them nothing.”
Grassie said he knows the win gives the Herd a tie-breaker if needed against Kentucky. To him, though, Oakland’s visit Tuesday is what’s important.
“Too early in the season to think about that,” Grassie said. “One game at a time. Oakland’s coming in and we don’t want to overlook them. They’ve got some weapons so we want to make sure we’re focusing on them first.”
The Herd celebrated Senior Night prior to the contest. Those recognized include MoMo Diop, Eddie DeMarco, Aleksa Janjic, Theo Godard, Rai Pinto and Cabell Midland grad Ryan Holmes. At halftime, several former Herd soccer players went to midfield and got applause from the fans.
UK, picked fourth in the SBC preseason poll, leads the all-time series 22-14-6. Before Friday, the Wildcats had allowed just six goals in nine matches.
West Virginia, ranked No. 4, is 4-0 in the Sun Belt and leads alone with 12 points. Marshall and UK share second with nine points.