HUNTINGTON -- Newcomers provided the offense and one veteran did his best to keep the opponent at bay and No. 2-ranked Marshall edged George Mason 2-1 Friday night in the soccer season opener in front of 2,153 fans at Hoops Family Field/Marshall Veterans Soccer Complex.
Larry Noel scored on a header at 29:08 for his first goal for the No. 2 Thundering Herd and a 1-0 lead. David de la Vibora got his first college goal period at 41:50 when he converted a pass from Joao Roberto and 2-0 lead at the break.
George Mason got a big break early in the second half when it got an own goal as a Thundering Herd defender sent a ball in the box past stunned keeper Dan Rose into the net to allow the Patriots to get within 2-1.
From that point, Herd veteran and captain Ryan Holmes and his back line mates kept the Patriots off the board and secured career win No. 200 for Herd coach Chris Grassie.
“We have a lot of new players. We played everybody,†Grassie said. “So many people. Anybody that went on did a good job. Everybody went off and improved their game.â€
Noel’s goal came when Yasha Schaerer sent the ball in the box on a corner kick and Noel rose up to head it home. De la Vibora then had his moment when he put in a shot off the assist from Roberto.
Late in the first half, the Patriots got a ball past Rose, but Holmes moved in and deflected it away off the back line much to the delight of the crowd.
Holmes said he happened to be in the right place at the right time to clear a ball that appeared to be headed in.
"We showed a lot of character,†Holmes said. “An own goal -- there are games like that sometimes. It’s unpredictable. That ball on the line I give all the credit to Dan. He made the save and I was in the right place at the right time. It’s all about being a part of a team.â€
Holmes was happy the two newcomers made an impact.
“Those goals are big for them,’ Holmes said. “Give them a couple of games and people will know their names. A lot of new guys and they have to get used to the way we play.â€
Holmes finds it special for the local talent to contribute.
“I’m super happy to represent West Virginians and the little kids,†Holmes said. “We know teams will give us their best shot. It comes with a lot of pride of who we are. It’s something we have to earn.â€
Grassie said the Herd is blessed with depth.
“We’ve got such a good team at every position,†Grassie said. “Sometimes guys open the game, close the game. Some guys open the half, close the half. It’s like a coin flip. Ryan came on and calmed us down. He’s a good closer, has good energy and won everything.â€
Grassie had an explanation for the own goal. Right before that play, the Herd missed converting a play for a 3-0 lead. Defender Brian Amaro is the player who knocked the ball into the goal.
“Missed assignment, missed assignment, lack of concentration,†Grassie said. “Brian’s a good defender. I’m not worried.â€
Marshall, preseason pick to win the Sun Belt Conference, is off until next Friday when Virginia Tech visits at 7:15 p.m. The Hokies beat No. 3 Ohio State 1-0 at home Thursday night.
“You work all week on a certain strategy and they come out and do some things different,†Grassie said. “You have to adjust. It’s a thinking man’s game. When we did our job and got the information out, the guys responded.â€
George Mason is a member of the Atlantic 10. The Patriots were picked to finish second in the league’s preseason poll. This was the first meeting between the Herd and George Mason.
Rick Elmore covers sports. He can be reached at 304-348-5122 or relmore@hdmediallc.com. Follow @ElmoreSports on Twitter/X.
