Marshall midfielder Vinicius Fernandes dribbles upfield against Indiana. (Jamie Schwaberow/NCAA Photos via Getty Images)
Marshall sent shockwaves throughout the college soccer world on Monday evening, beating Indiana 1-0 in overtime to win the program’s first Division I national championship.
The Herd (13W-2L-3D record) have enjoyed a remarkable rise over the last four years, going from missing the 2016 Conference USA tournament to becoming the country’s top team.
And at the center of it is Vinicius Fernandes, a junior midfielder who spent two years (2016-17) at South Kent, a perennial NEPSAC powerhouse. The São Paulo, Brazil native reflects fondly upon his time with the Cardinals, where he was introduced to a diverse program that mirrors how Marshall’s roster spans the United States, Africa, Europe and South America.
