HUNTINGTON, W. Va. - Smith Cathey's goal in the 66th minute stood up for Georgia Southern women's soccer as the Eagles claimed a 1-0 Sun Belt road win at Marshall on Sunday afternoon in Huntington, W. Va.
The Eagles (5-7-1, 2-2 SBC) improved to 2-0 on the road in league games this year while handing Marshall (3-5-2, 1-2-1 SBC) its first home loss of the year in five games. Georgia Southern remains on the road for its next action, taking on Old Dominion on Thursday at 2 p.m. in Norfolk.
Marshall nearly got on the board in the first minute of play as Bailey Fisher uncorked a shot from the left side, but Eagle goalkeeper Quinn Wilson made the leaping save, one of two saves in the first half for the sophomore.
The Herd held a slim 4-2 edge in shots at the half.
The breakthrough for the Eagles came following a free kick in Marshall's half of field. The Herd played the ball backwards and a defender for Marshall slipped on the play, allowing sophomore Addison Comer to get onto the ball at the top of the box. Comer slotted a pass to her left, where Cathey beat Marshall goalkeeper Alexis Wolgemuth right for her team-leading fifth goal of the season.
Georgia Southern almost made it a 2-0 lead in the 77th minute as Maya Zovko found herself one-on-one with the keeper in the box but the shot sailed high.
Marshall's last good chance to find the equalizer came in the 79th minute as Madison Townes streaked down the left side and tried a short-angle shot that hit the side netting.
Shots finished at 7-6 in favor of Marshall on the day. Wilson recorded her second shutout of the year with two saves, while Wolgemuth made three for the Herd. Marshall held a 4-2 edge in corner kicks and the Herd were whistled for 12 fouls and four offsides, compared to four fouls and two offsides for Georgia Southern.
"I'm really proud of our team for sticking with our game plan and finding a way to get a result on the road," Georgia Southern head women's soccer coach Chris Adams said. "Marshall hadn't lost at home this year, so it was nice to get another important three Sun Belt points away from home in a tough environment."
