Sept. 6, 2006
Final Stats
Contact: Josh Rattray
Marshall's Karim Boukhemis scored the game-winner in the match's opening minutes and Marshall survived an aggressive second half from Cleveland State to defeat the Vikings, 1-0, on Wednesday afternoon at Schoenbaum Stadium in Charleston, W. Va. CSU falls to 2-2-1 with the loss.
Boukhemis' tally came unassisted at the 4:50 mark after he stripped the ball from CSU and broke away just outside the box on the right side.
"I think Marshall wore us down a bit physically," head coach Ali Kazemaini said. "They were very strong and physical. I was happy with the way we matched up with them, we worked really hard."
The match was in doubt until the final horn after CSU junior Vincent Rosati was fouled with just 10 seconds remaining. The referee stopped the game clock after a Marshall player punted the ball in the air, giving the Vikings time to set up a hail mary. Freshman Mitch Boyer launched the ball three-fourths the length of the field, finding freshman George Kephart in the box, but Kephart's header was just wide to the left.
CSU's best chance of the entire match came at the 82:55 mark when senior David Stewart stole the ball from Marshall goalie Greg Terhune and launched a shot from point-blank range just wide of the left post.
"We just have to finish our shots," Kazemaini said. "We are getting a lot of chances. It's when you don't get any chances is when you worry. As the season goes on, those shots will fall."
Freshman Dan Duric got the starting nod in goal and played the first 45 minutes, posting two saves and allowing the one goal. Duric prevented Marshall from getting a second goal in the first half with a leaping save to deflect Marhshall's J.D. Hill's shot over the crossbar. Sophomore Kasey Gray played the second stanza in goal, notching four saves and holding the Thundering Herd scoreless.
The Vikings' best scoring opportunity of the first half came at the 8:15 mark when freshman Mike Barton fired a cross to senior David Stewart. Stewart's header just inside the box on the left side shot just over the crossbar.
CSU was outshot, 18-14, for the match but held the edge in corner kicks (5-4). Marshall was whistled for 22 fouls to just eight for the Vikings.
Kephart had a team-high four shots, one of them on goal. Freshman Anthony Baraldi had three shot attempts, with two of them on goal.
The match, originally schedule to be at Marshall's home field, Sam Hood Field in Huntington, W. Va., was moved to the neutral site because Sam Hood Field suffered damage from Hurricane Ernesto.
The Vikings return to Krenzler Field for their Horizon League opener against UW-Green Bay on Saturday (Sept. 9). Kickoff is slated for 1:00 p.m.
