Marshall University womenÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s soccer is off to its strongest start since 2009 after a 2-1 win in Athens at Ohio University on Sunday.
The last time Marshall started 3-0, it finished with a 13-7 record. SundayÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s road win was the first for Marshall over Ohio in Athens. Marshall coach Rafa Simoes has connections with the Bobcats.
ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œI graduated from Ohio and was an assistant coach for (Ohio womenÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s soccer coach) Aaron Rodgers for a while. This is where I got my masterÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s, so I have a lot of respect for him as a mentor,ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ Simoes said. ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œHis teams are always tough. TheyÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™re a powerhouse in the MAC. This is a hard place to come and get a (winning) result. Cheers to Ohio, I hope they win the MAC.ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥
In SimoesÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™ second season, he has the Thundering HerdÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s offense creating double-digit shots in every match. Geovanna Souza scored the opening goal in the fourth minute before Bailey Fisher scored her third goal of the season in the 10th minute.
ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œThat was the biggest test weÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™ve had this year,ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ Simoes said. ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œStarted on the right foot with this away game series that we have. I feel that the first 10 minutes was the best IÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™ve seen since IÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™ve been here at Marshall. A very complete performance.ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥
Fisher has now scored a goal in each of MarshallÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s first three matches and also had two in the preseason exhibition. Souza is now at two, joined by Tiggi Gent for second on the team. Souza also assisted FisherÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s goal.
Ohio fought back with a goal in the 78th minute, but Marshall keeper Emma Durand pulled down a save in the final moments to preserve the win.
ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œI donÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™t think it was an easy game for us. We got the two goals early on in the game, so we knew that we had to battle it out. We did until the end,ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ Fowler said. ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œWe showed good resilience.ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥
Marshall returns to action Wednesday when it travels to Wright State at 7 p.m.
ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œWright State is not an easy place to go, but thatÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s what I wanted to do before conference,ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ Simoes said. ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œI want to test the team. I think itÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s another test for us, and weÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™re glad with the momentum. WeÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™ll focus on resting and get everyone recovered for that.ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥
Tyler Kennett is a sports writer for The Herald-Dispatch. Reach him at tkennett@hdmediallc.com. Follow @tylerkennett on X.
