Sept. 25, 2008

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HUNTINGTON, W.Va. - The Marshall University women's soccer squad will begin Conference USA play on the road this weekend against the University of Houston and Rice University. The Thundering Herd will go into the weekend with a two-game unbeaten streak, while Houston is on a two-match losing streak and Rice is on a one-game losing streak.

The Herd (2-2-4) will first face the Cougars (5-3) Friday under the lights at 8 p.m. (EST) at the John O'Quinn Field at Robertson Stadium. Marshall will then meet Rice (4-3) Sunday afternoon, at the Rice Track/Soccer Stadium with kick-off set for 2 p.m. (EST).

"I think I speak for the entire team when I say we are eager to get started with conference play," Marshall's interim head coach Kevin Long said. "There will be an increased level of competition that only the conference can bring and we are excited to see how things will go."

The all-time series between Houston and Marshall is tied 1-1 and dates back to 2005. In the latest meeting, the Herd shut out the Cougars, 2-0, at Sam Hood Field. In 2007, Molly Snead (Cincinnati, Ohio) and Kassie Hollman notched the goals in the two-goal shutout. Marshall controlled the momentum of the game by taking 15 shots with seven being on goal, while Houston took seven shots, with two on goal.

The Owls lead the series over the Herd, 2-0, with the first meeting being in 2005. Last season, Rice took a 3-1 decision over Marshall at Sam Hood Field. Mollie Lee scored the only goal for the Herd in 2007 against the Owls. Rice outshot Marshall, 15-to-7, with seven being placed on goal.

Freshman Angela DeSumma (Doylestown, Pa.) stands tied with two other players (Kellyn Farrell from South Dakota State and Keeley Murray from Western Illinois) as the nation's 20th-ranked assists leader with five. The forward also stands alone as the C-USA assists leader.

Sophomore forward Erika Duncan (Easthaven, Scotland) and senior Ali Lizotte (Iron Station, N.C.) lead the Herd with 22 shots a piece. Duncan has registered 10 shots on goal, while Lizotte has 19 shots placed on goal.

In eight starts, Duncan also leads Marshall with five goals so far this season. She is tied with two other C-USA players (Anne Candee from Rice and Hannah Taylor from Tulsa) as the league's top goals leaders.

Junior forward Snead has notched 21 shots, with 16 being on goal. She stands tied eighth with Danya Barsalona (UAB) on the C-USA shots list.

Co-captain keeper Liz Orton (Fort Collins, Colo.) has 800 playing minutes and 33 saves so far this season. The junior has registered 223 saves so far in her three-year career. Orton's 33 saves puts her fifth in C-USA.

Marshall has outshot its opponents 141-to-80 so far in eight matches.

"Although the team is playing well, we had wanted to solve some of our finishing concerns coming into the conference play," Coach Long added. "Through this week's training and throughout the rest of the season, I am sure we will continue to address those needs while at the same time, continue to improve how we defend as a unit."

Last weekend, the Herd continued its eight-match road trip, 0-2-2, after two draws to finish its non-conference schedule. Marshall tied Murray State University, 2-2, in its third double-overtime draw. The Herd then followed with another double-overtime tie to Ohio University, 1-1.

To begin the eight-match road trip, Marshall fell to reigning Mid-American Conference champion, Toledo, 1-0, Sept. 12. Marshall then followed with a 3-0 loss to reigning MAC runner-up, Bowling Green State University, Sept. 14.

The Herd's away record so far this season is 2-2-2, while the home record is 0-0-2.

GameTracker will be available for both matches by clicking the Marshall women's soccer schedule.

Herd fans can view and purchase photos from the 2008 women's soccer season at http://herdsportsphotos.exposuremanager.com/ under "2008 Women's Soccer."

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