LEXINGTON, Ky. – The Southeast Missouri soccer team stood toe-to-toe with Kentucky for the first 45 minutes, but a pair of second half goals sent the Redhawks (4-2) to a 2-0 loss at the Tropical Smoothie Invitational on Sunday.

Goalkeeper Ashton Aubuchon, defender Hayley Abbott and midfielder Vanessa Hart were each placed on the Tropical Smoothie Invitational's All-Tournament team after helping Southeast go 1-1 over the weekend.

The Wildcats put together a strong first half by outshooting the Redhawks, 10-1, and holding a 3-0 advantage on corner kicks. Despite the extended volume of shots, Aubuchon made two saves and the Southeast defense held UK off the board in the first 45 minutes of play as the score was 0-0 at the break.

“We probably dominated the first half in possession time,” Southeast head coach Heather Nelson said. “Overall, we felt very good about how we played today. They created a lot of corner kicks and that's how they scored both of their goals. We're pleased with how we performed against a very athletic and soccer savvy team. Playing them will make us sharper and better prepared for OVC play.”

Southeast created some chances early in the second half, firing three shots in the first 17 minutes.

“Of the scoring opportunities we created, we had a shot to go up 1-0 on a Lauren Bozesky shot that the keeper made a great save on,” Nelson said. “We had another opportunity to score on a corner, but their keeper came off the line and made a save.”

The contest remained scoreless until the 65th minute when UK's Molly Huber converted a corner kick feed to put the Wildcats up 1-0. The tally was the first allowed by the Redhawks in four matches, snapping their consecutive shutout minutes at 378:59.

Kentucky's defense held Southeast to only two more shots the rest of the way and the Wildcats got an insurance goal from Natalie Horner off another corner kick in the 87th minute.

The Wildcats outshot the Redhawks, 21-6, in the contest and attempted 11 corner kicks while allowing only one Southeast corner kick.

“They have very dangerous forwards and a dangerous attacking midfield,” Nelson said. “Credit our defense, they only got in behind us once. Ashton is solid and our defense did a good job keeping shots out from a distance.”

Aubuchon played all 90 minutes in goal for the second-consecutive match and turned aside five of the seven shots she faced.

The Redhawks return to the pitch on Friday when they make a quick trip to Saint Louis. Opening kickoff is at 7 p.m.