HUNTINGTON, W.V. – Senior Ian McGrath’s extraordinary goal from 50 yards out in the 39th minute proved to be the difference as the University of Evansville men’s soccer team grabbed a 1-0 victory over Marshall University on Sunday afternoon in Huntington, West Virginia.
Evansville opened the match aggressively as the Purple Aces fired three shots in the first 30 minutes while holding the Thundering Herd without a shot.
In the 39th minute, McGrath surveyed the back line for the Herd and noticed the Marshall keeper off his line. McGrath launched a shot from nearly 50 yards out that soared over the keeper and into the net to provide the Aces with a 1-0 lead.
Opening the second half, Marshall responded with a more successful attack as the Herd fired three shots in the first 15 minutes of the second frame, but Aces senior goalkeeper Matthew Keller continued to maintain his clean sheet.
Marshall out-shot UE, 6-2, in the second half, but Keller turned away the lone shot on-goal as the Aces captured the 1-0 victory.
“It was a great team effort today. The guys did a great job of executing the game plan we put in place,” said head coach Marshall Ray “It was a wonderful strike by Ian McGrath for the goal and we held on on the road in tough conditions to get the win. It’s a building block for us and we’re looking forward to getting back on the training pitch and we have a lot to work on from the video and get prepared for our two matches next weekend at home.”
McGrath and Williams led the way with three shots each, both with one on-goal. Keller made a pair of saves and picked up his second win of the season and third shutout of his career.
The Aces return home for the ProRehab Aces Soccer Classic on Friday and Sunday at Arad McCutchan Stadium. The classic features UE, Bradley, Northern Illinois, and Milwaukee. The Aces take on Milwaukee at 7 p.m. Friday before challenging NIU at 2:30 p.m. on Sunday afternoon.
