HUNTINGTON, W.Va. — No. 13-seed Marshall advanced to the NCAA Division I Men’s Soccer Tournament quarterfinals with a 2-1 victory over NC State on Saturday at Hoops Family Field. The Thundering Herd will now face No. 12-seed SMU on Saturday, December 7, at 7:00 p.m. EST at Washburne Stadium.
Senior forward Lineker Rodrigues dos Santos scored both goals for the Herd, while junior goalkeeper Aleksa Janjic recorded seven saves to secure the win. The victory marks the second time in program history that Marshall has reached the tournament’s final eight.
NCAA Men’s Soccer Quarterfinal 2024
Marshall Thundering Herd vs. SMU Mustangs
Washburne Stadium – Dallas, Texas
Saturday, December 7th, 2024 – 7:00 p.m. ET
Rodrigues dos Santos capitalized on a defensive miscue by NC State in the ninth minute, scoring his 13th goal of the season with a strike into the bottom right corner. He doubled the lead in the 37th minute, finding the net off a rebound from Haruhi Taneda’s shot for his 14th goal of the year.
Janjic anchored Marshall’s defense, making four saves in the first half to keep NC State scoreless. Despite a late surge by the Wolfpack, which included a 77th-minute header from Vusumzi Plamana off a Liam Bennett corner kick, Janjic made three critical second-half saves to preserve the victory.
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Marshall’s success is also a testament to the top-tier facilities the program utilizes. The Herd plays and trains on an AstroTurf field at Hoops Family Field, giving the team a reliable, consistent playing surface year-round. The state-of-the-art AstroTurf system enhances player performance with optimal traction and ball control, even in challenging weather conditions, such as the strong winds seen during Saturday’s match.
With the win, Marshall turns its focus to a tough matchup against SMU. The Mustangs advanced with a victory over No. 4-seed Dayton in their Round of 16 match. The quarterfinal clash promises to be a tightly contested battle, with both teams coming off impressive performances.
Rodrigues dos Santos now has three multi-goal games this season. His 14 goals are tied for fourth-most in a single season in program history, while his 31 points rank fifth.
For fans, the highly anticipated game against SMU will take place at Washburne Stadium, with kickoff set for 7:00 p.m. EST. Tickets are available through Marshall Athletics, and live updates will be provided on @herdmsoccer’s social media platforms.
Marshall looks to continue its historic tournament run with a chance to secure its first-ever berth in the NCAA semifinals.
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