HUNTINGTON, W.Va. - In a vastly different performance against Marshall University from 2012 to this season, the Virginia Military Institute men's soccer team fell 2-0 on the road Tuesday evening. Marshall scored in the 68th and 71st minute to take the edge.

Breaking a 0-0 tie, Marshall (2-4-1) got a penalty kick goal from Zach Hunter, and got the insurance goal three minutes later from Ben Holt on a Daniel Jodah assist.

Last season, the Herd bested VMI 7-0 in Lexington, outshooting the Keydets 19-17. This season however, Marshall had 15 shots, with Keydet keeper Zach Kaplan stopping six of those attempts for a career best, VMI was credited with one team save.

Marshall took nine shots in the second half while VMI managed a pair. Kaplan spread out his saves with three in each half. Travis Borkey led VMI with two shots, putting one high and the second just right of the frame. Alex Hartman, Wes Saupe and Aaron White took one shot apiece. Saupe had VMI's lone shot on goal, but was stopped by Herd goalkeeper Danny Sellitti for his only save of the night.

Hunter and Jodah led the Herd in shots with four apiece. Nick Edginton and Jack Hopkins took two each. Hunter led the game with three shots on goal while Hopkins and Jodah each had two on frame.

Coming out of the gates, VMI played strong with the return of Borkey, who made his first start since Sept. 3 at Campbell. The sophomore made a centered run just two minutes into the game as he received a pass from Hartman, who was on the right. Borkey had too much zip on his chance and pushed the shot over the crossbar.

The Keydets played arguably their best half of soccer so far this season, playing both composed and aggressive on offense. The Herd led in shots 6-3, putting half of those chances on goal, but Kaplan made three saves in his second straight start. Marshall took four corner kicks to the Keydets' two and VMI was whistled for nine fouls to the Herd's four.

Less than 10 minutes into the second half, the Keydets got a great defensive play from it's co-captain, Blake McCauley. On a Herd throw in the 53rd minute, Kaplan came out aggressively to punch the ball clear, but a Marshall player collected the rebound and ripped another shot to the top left corner. But McCauley beat the attempt and cleared it with his head and kept the slate clean.

One of VMI's best chances in the second half came in the 56th minute as Forché slipped a pass to Borkey between two defenders. Borkey found himself in a one-on-one with Sellitti, but missed the right post by mere inches.

Marshall broke the nil-nil stalemate in the 67th minute as a Keydet defender attempted to tackle Hunter, but the defensive played was ruled illegal and Hunter was awarded a penalty kick, which he converted. The Herd got an insurance goal just three minutes later as Holt tipped in a header, getting the cross from Jodah.

Down but not out, VMI rallied in the 83rd minute. VMI's Hunter Morgan sailed in a long corner kick which was initially headed in by a Keydet, but the head official, Bradley Jordan, whistled VMI for interfering with keeper Sellitti and the goal was taken off the board.