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CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. – Jacey Boyko's overtime goal in the 94th minute lifted the Southeast Missouri soccer team to a much-needed 1-0 victory over Ohio Valley Conference co-leader Eastern Kentucky on Senior Night at Houck Stadium.

Boyko headed in a crossing feed from the left side and put it into the top corner of the net to help the Redhawks (3-9-3, 2-3-1 OVC) snap a three-match losing streak in league play. That goal handed the Colonels (7-5-2, 3-1-1 OVC) their first league loss.

“We are very pleased with our performance against an excellent opponent tonight,” Southeast head coach Heather Nelson said. “The team played hard and did a very good job of tackling all night. They played with a little more calmness and maturity than they have shown recently, which is great to see on senior night.”

Offense was difficult to come by in the first half of play as the teams combined for only seven shots (4-3 EKU) in the opening 45 minutes. The Colonels had the most dangerous chance in the 14th minute when Nikki Donnelly, EKU's leading scorer, made a run down the right side. With the defense closing in on her, Donnelly launched a shot towards the far post that Renee Kertz made a diving stop on to keep the contest scoreless going into the break.

The Colonels owned an 8-2 advantage in shots during the second half, placing five on goal that Kertz stopped. The majority of the chances came from 20 yards or more away. Neither of the Redhawks' shots were directed on goal in the second half, but Kertz' effort sent them to overtime for the second-consecutive match.

Southeast wasted little time going on the attack in the extra session. After an EKU run was thwarted, Kertz launched the ball to midfield, where Paige Luehmann directed a through ball to Kasey Crowden down the left sideline. Crowden played a perfect high ball that went cleanly off Boyko's head and curved into the net for the winning tally.

“As soon as we went out for overtime, I said to the team 'let's get this over with quickly with a win',” Boyko said. “As soon as Renee punted the ball, Kasey got down the line, she crossed it and I got a head on it. I thought the ball was going over the net at first, but once I headed it someone screamed that it was in the net.

“We really needed this win, it was a big one for us. Hopefully we can start getting some more after this.”

Eastern Kentucky outshot Southeast 12-6 and took the only corner kick of the match. Kertz made seven saves for her third-career shutout while Erika Wolfer stopped one Southeast shot.

Prior to the match, the Redhawks honored their six seniors: Kertz, Hayley Abbott, Ali Bauer, Courtney Luehmann and the late Meg Herndon. All six seniors were announced as starters as Southeast participated in a 10-man salute for Herndon. Southeast played with 10 on the field during the first minute in honor of the Redhawks' defender, before the Colonels played the ball out of bounds to allow Paige Luehmann to sub in.

The Redhawks play their final home match of the season on Sunday against Morehead State. Opening kickoff is at 1 p.m.