Gallery • 3 Photos

Rick Farlow

Senior midfielder Jenna Zuzolo dribbles the ball as she moves into Duquesne territory.

In its 2018 home opener, the Marshall University women’s soccer team fell short to the UT Martin Skyhawks, 3-1, Friday at Hoops Family Field in Huntington.

Both teams had a fast start, as Marshall junior forward Farah Abu-Tayeh scored her second goal of the season in the fifth minute, only to be matched with a goal from UT Martin senior forward Danae Kaldaridou in the next minute.

The Herd built momentum, scoring another goal in the 12th minute, but it was called off for offsides. Marshall’s head coach Kevin Long said that the amount of emotion that came from scoring twice early, only to have the second goal called off, could have had an impact on the team.

“I think that can take some wind out of the sail,” Long said. “The lack of focus immediately following those two goals was kind of disheartening.”

Long said that as the season goes on, he would like to see the team maintain composure after goals are scored, which would eliminate the shock factor from this sequence.

UT Martin took the lead in the 19th minute with a header from senior midfielder Amy McGivern that brought the score to 2-1.

Following the goal, Marshall was unable to string together any offense, recording two shots on goal throughout the rest of the match. The pace of both teams slowed down significantly following the goal from McGivern, until UT Martin freshman midfielder Skylor Keane scored with 14 seconds remaining on the clock, bringing the match to its final score of 3-1.

The loss brings the Thundering Herd to a season win-loss record of 0-2-1.

“I can probably barely tell you who we play, we have so many holes that we’re trying to fix and master on our own that it doesn’t matter who we play,” Long said. “Not just our record, but the way we’re playing right now, we’re not in a position where we have any room to focus on our opponents.”

Marshall women’s soccer will return to action Friday, as the Eastern Kentucky Colonels will visit Hoops Family Field for the Herd’s second consecutive home game.

Derek Gilbert can be contacted at [email protected].