The Marshall University women’s soccer team tied against Ohio University Friday. This result changes their record to 2-2-2 overall with conference play still upcoming.

“While we would have loved to take the win, we were ahead twice. We’ll take the tie and go home to regroup,” Marshall head coach Kevin Long said. “I thought the team showed resilience, great grit and effort. Even down a player for much of the game, we had great opportunities.”

Ohio University head coach Aaron Rodgers said the games between Marshall and Ohio University have been fantastic over the last couple years.

“They played very well in the first half,” Rodgers said. “They did some things to knock us out of our rhythm, but I was proud of our girls to come back twice.”

The first half saw the Thundering Herd women make a fast start. Marshall got on the scoreboard first, with Sydney Arnold making some delicate cuts through the Ohio defense and powering the first shot of the game past Ohio University goal keeper Erin Beurket.

Despite the fast start by Marshall, Ohio gained its footing as the first half wore on. After a few dangerous possessions deep into Marshall’s defensive end, the Bobcats broke through as a cross by Sydney Leckie narrowly passed the outstretched arms of Thundering Herd goal keeper Emily Moreland. The ball was put into the unguarded net by Courtney Daugerdas. Chances were made on both ends of the field following the Ohio goal, but Moreland and Beurket were in peak form following the initial goals.

The second half action become intense and Marshall recaptured the lead as Shontelle Smith dribbled past a defender in the box and was fouled to earn a penalty kick. Smith took the ensuing kick and Beurket guessed wrong as she dived to the left, while the kick went right.

Ohio rebounded and pushed offensively. Several potent Bobcat possessions were being turned away by the Thundering Herd back line, anchored by Megan Bonelli who entered into the game at halftime. This was until Daugerdas pocketed a second goal off a Leckie pass. Bonelli was out to challenge a charging Ohio attack, Leckie played Daugerdas into an open position with no defense and the almost exact circumstance of the first Ohio university goal was repeated.

The game remained tied and went into overtime, but not before Marshall lost a player to a red card. Off a Thundering Herd turnover, Ohio was moving to add a potential game-winning goal, but an errant touch left the ball between an attacking player and Bonelli. While Bonelli blasted the ball clear, the players collided, and the decision was made that Bonelli committed the foul. The referee had no choice but to give a red card as Bonelli was the last defender and the foul impeded a scoring opportunity.

Overtime had its fair share of opportunities for both teams to end the contest, but Beurket and a returning Moreland effectively sealed off both goals, resulting in the two rivals settling for a tie.

Marshall University Women’s soccer resumes play with the first conference game at Hoops Family Field on Thursday night at 7 p.m.

Joseph Ashley can be reached at [email protected].