HUNTINGTON -- Daniel Withrow has made a living this season by keeping the opposition from scoring on the Marshall University men's soccer team.

But, what he did last weekend against South Carolina went above and beyond his normal call of duty.

Withrow made a save on a penalty kick in the second half that kept the score knotted, 1-1, then followed with a goal off a free kick from 65 yards away in the 78th minute to give Marshall a 2-1 win over the Gamecocks.

"Saving PKs is something I've done before, but I haven't scored a goal in a long time," said Withrow, a Marshall freshman from Rochester Hills, Mich. "It's been 12 years (since I last scored). I had no idea what to do. I just threw my hands in the air and started screaming."

Withrow said he didn't have to talk smack to his teammates because assistant coach Tomas Olivier did it for him.

"Tomas actually started laughing and pointed out (Marshall forward) Sammy (Boateng) in particular," Withrow said. "(Olivier) said 'I just realized that Daniel has more goals than you now.' It was funny."

A goalkeeper scoring a goal is special enough, but this particular goal not only gave Marshall a road victory over South Carolina, it also clinched a Conference USA tournament berth for Marshall.

"I've been doing it for 32 years and I've never seen it happen," Marshall head coach Bob Gray said. "The game itself was huge for us. I don't think people realize when you have teams like Kentucky and South Carolina in your conference for soccer, these are Southeastern Conference schools with SEC money and SEC facilities. It's a tough road win and we were happy to get them both on the road this year.

Therefore, Withrow's first collegiate goal might be the most important of Marshall's season thus far.

"It is funny that in a game like that, I'm the one that scored the game-winner," Withrow said. "It makes it a little more crazy that that particular goal sealed the postseason for sure."

While the goal and its ramifications are amazing, it is almost fitting for a Marshall side that has defied the odds all season long.

When C-USA announced that it was switching its postseason format for soccer from eight teams to four because of budget considerations, Gray was among the coaches unhappy with the decision.

With the switch in format, no one would have thought Marshall would have made the elite list for the postseason. Now, thanks to a goal from a goalkeeper and a yeoman-like attitude toward soccer, the Herd has etched its name as one of the top four in the league.

"Nobody expected us to be anywhere. We were the only ones that considered us to be in the tournament," Withrow said. "I think we are the hardest working team in Conference USA. We are not the most talented team, but we are getting results."

With the pressure of trying to qualify for the postseason relieved, Marshall now has a new goal. A home win over UAB in the season finale at 7 p.m. Saturday, coupled with a tie or loss by Tulsa at UCF, would make Marshall the No. 1 seed for the conference tournament that would be hosted by the Herd.

Gray credited the school administration for stepping up to do what is necessary should the championship come to Huntington next week.

"There's not a team in the conference that would've picked us to be in the final four. Now we could be hosting the thing," Gray said. "I can guarantee that there isn't a team in this conference that wants to come here and play in the second week of November. Psychologically, it is big.

"The other neat thing is that it has created a buzz around town. It's important that we have that opportunity and our administration is responding greatly. They are already preparing for things that must be done if we would be hosting a Conference USA championship match. It's a great opportunity for our school and the area in terms of soccer exposure."

National Video