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MARTIN, Tenn. – Torey Byrd's sixth goal of the year and Renee Kertz' five saves paced the Southeast Missouri soccer team to a 1-0 victory over fifth-seeded Belmont in the first round of the Ohio Valley Conference Tournament on Thursday.

The Redhawks (7-9-4) extend their season-long unbeaten streak to six matches (5-0-1) with the victory. This is also Southeast's third shutout in the past four matches.

Byrd got the Redhawks on the board in the 13th minute when she beat Nicole Berner from just inside the box to the far side. Kasey Crowden set up the play by lofting a ball over the Bruin defense for Storm French. Her cross was first met by Amy Ward, who redirected it to Byrd for her team-leading sixth goal of the year.

“Torey was the player of the match today,” Southeast head coach Heather Nelson said. “We asked her to possess the ball and win a lot of balls in the air, she did just that. She played great tonight.”

Other than the early strike, offense was difficult to come by in the first half with the teams combined for five shots (3-2 Belmont). Southeast created another terrific opportunity late in the half. The Redhawks started a counter attack and slipped a ball through the Bruin defense that found Storm French for a partial breakaway, but her shot just missed the far post, keeping the contest 1-0 in favor of Southeast at the break.

Play opened up in the second half, with the teams combining for 13 shots (7-6 Southeast). The Redhawks got a great opportunity to extend the lead early in the final frame when Jacey Boyko got her head on a Crowden cross, but the shot went just wide of the net, keeping the contest a one-shot difference.

Amy Jo Anderson got a great look from up close with six minutes remaining, directing a shot through traffic that Kertz made a big diving save on. That save was one of her five that secured her sixth shutout of the season and the Redhawks' first OVC Tournament win since 2007.

“Our back line was very solid,” Nelson said. “The won a lot of balls in the air and always found a way to clear away from danger, especially when Belmont was pressing to score at the end.”

Southeast and Belmont each attempted nine shots. The Redhawks did hold a slight advantage in corner kicks, 5-3.

With the win, the Redhawks advance to the semifinal round to take on OVC regular season champion UT Martin on Friday. Opening kickoff at Skyhawk Field is at 4 p.m.