LEXINGTON, Ky.- Marshal(w)l University’s Megan Tabler (Ashland, Ky.) added her second game-winning goal of the season as her and Erika Duncan (East Haven, Scotland) both registered their team-leading third goals of the season.  The Herd exploded with a three goal first half to earn a 3-2 victory in its first ever meeting with Tennessee Tech in Friday night’s University of Kentucky Tournament women’s soccer match at the Kentucky Soccer Complex.

MU continues to build on its best start in school history and remains undefeated on the season at 7-0, while Tennessee Tech drops to 1-6-1, losing three of its last four matches.

The Herd fell behind early when it allowed its first goal of the season off the Golden Eagles only shot of the first half.  Jen Hoffman (Martinsburg, W.Va.) blasted in a shot past Marshall goalkeeper Liz Orton (Ft. Collins, Colo.) from 16 yards out off a Kerri Reid (Peachtree City, Ga.) cross.

“Give Tennessee Tech credit, they had a good game plan and they came in and executed it well,” head coach Kevin Long said.

Marshall retaliated with three goals of its own to finish off the first half with a 3-1 lead.  Kristen Berquist (Highland Village, Texas) started the Herd damage with a shot from 20 yards out for her second goal of the season.  Angela DeSumma (Doylestown, Pa.), who entering the weekend was tied 24 th nationally in assists per game, tallied her fifth assist of the season on the play.       

Just 3:59 later a successful penalty kick by Duncan gave MU a 2-1 lead.  Duncan has now scored in two consecutive matches.

The Herd’s third and final goal of the half came from a Tabler rebound in traffic, following a Marisa Leconte (Greer, S.C.) shot.

Tennessee Tech tried to mount the comeback when Kris Cambron (Soddy-Daisy, Tenn.) scored off a through ball from junior Brooke Mayo (Garland, Texas) and brought the Golden Eagles within one.  However, this was as close as it got.

Goalkeeper Kaitlyn Thacker (Ellenwood, Ga.) registered seven saves in the loss.

MU outshot the Golden Eagles 19-3, including 10-3 in shots on goal.

“We had 19 shots, scored three goals, which means we got more opportunities than we have been,” Long said.  “But it came at a price.”

Tabler, DeSumma, and Molly Snead (Cincinnati, Ohio) each tallied four shots on the night.   

Marshall will close the University of Kentucky Tournament against Western Kentucky for the first ever meeting between the two schools at noon on Sunday in Lexington.