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MOREHEAD, Ky. – For 45 minutes, it appeared to be business as usual for the Southeast Missouri soccer team, but four second-half goals by Morehead State sent the Redhawks to a 5-2 loss on Sunday afternoon.
The Redhawks are now 4-5-3 (2-1-2 Ohio Valley) after the Eagles (4-9-1, 3-2 OVC) snapped their six-match unbeaten streak during which they went 4-0-2.
"We played a strong first half," Southeast head coach
Heather Nelson said. "The team adapted to Morehead State's narrow field. We weren't as sharp and took some bad positions, which led to a few serious breakdowns in the second half. I give credit to Morehead State for capitalizing on our mistakes today."
Southeast got off on the right foot when
Natasha Minor netted her third goal of the season in the 11th minute of play. Minor was opportunistic on the play as she corralled a rebound off a
Kaitlin Kuznacic shot and put it into the net to give the Redhawks a 1-0 lead.
The Eagles used a set piece to even the score in the 23rd minute. Teig Palmateer's corner kick cross found the head of Caity Fox, who flicked the ball off the post and into the net for her first of the year.
Undeterred, Southeast took advantage of a set piece of its own when
Amy Ward's flip throw reached
Torey Byrd. The junior headed the ball into the net for her second marker of the year and capped the scoring in an eventful first half with Southeast in front 2-1. MSU had a slim, 7-6, lead in shots, though Southeast attempted seven corner kicks compared to three by MSU.
MSU began pressing the issue in the second half, taking three shots in the first eight minutes and change. The match turned on its ear in the 59th minute, when Angela Black tied it at 2-2 after being sprung free on a Jade Flory through ball. That goal was one of three that the Eagles put on the board in a 1:13 span. Black scored her second goal 18 seconds later on a Holly Tilley assist, she then set up Flory for a goal with 30:37 left to put MSU up 4-2.
Mackenzie Ward finished the scoring in the 69th minute, Elizabeth McSparin picked up the assist.
The Eagles outshot the Redhawks 15-8, including 8-2 in the second half. Southeast took more corner kicks (8-5), but only had one set piece in the second half.
"We look forward to refocusing and coming back to our home field, where we can get back to play a possession-style game," Nelson said.
Southeast begins a four-match home stand, all against OVC opponents, when they host Belmont on Friday night. Opening kickoff at Houck Stadium is at 6:30 p.m.
