HUNTINGTON, W.Va.- The Marshall men’s soccer team defeated the Shawnee State Bears 2-1 on Wednesday night courtesy of Eddy Prugh and Diego Ayala goals.

The Herd outshot the Bears 32 to 7, but only managed to put two of them in the net as Marshall advanced to 7-4-1 on the season. Shawnee State, a member of the NAIA, fell to 6-5-1 on the year.

Junior Eddy Prugh led the team with eight shots, and managed to finish one in the 30^th minute for the first goal of the game. Substitute Diego Ayala also found the net for Marshall, as he steered home a deflected Prugh shot for his second score of the season.

Even with starting goalkeeper Daniel Withrow sitting on the bench due to injury, the Marshall defense appeared to have posted what would have been its fifth shutout of the season, but goalkeeper Mike McCabe and his defenders surrendered a late goal in the final minute of play to spoil the clean sheet.

“I thought we should have put some more of our shots in the net,” said Head Coach Bob Gray. “Give credit to Shawnee for fighting hard, but this was a game we should have scored more goals in. Our movement off the ball wasn’t as good as it should have been, and I think some of our guys got caught looking ahead to next game. But a win is a win and I’m happy we were able to finish up the non-conference regular season with a victory.”

The win means Marshall will end the season with a 4-4 record against non-conference opposition, and will now conclude the 2011 regular season against four challenging Conference USA foes. Up next for the Herd – who is top of the table with a 3-0-1 league record – is South Carolina, whom the team will face this Saturday at 7:00 p.m. in Columbia, S.C.

---

RECOMMENDED FOR YOU

ECNL Girls N. Atlantic Players to Watch

Women's NCAA Tournament Round Two Preview

Hornets Add 7 on National Signing Day