Southeast Missouri (6-0-1)
at Kentucky (3-3-1)
Match Information
Date: Sept. 14, 2016
Kickoff: 6:30 p.m., CT
Location: Lexington, Ky.
Stadium: Wendell & Vickie Bell Soccer Complex
Series: SEMO trails 1-2
Media Information
Live Video: SEC Network +
Live Stats: UKAthletics.com
 
Follow the Redhawks on Twitter for in-game updates @SEMOsoccer
 
Complete Match Notes: Southeast Missouri | Kentucky
 
Quick Kicks
Southeast Missouri State women's soccer (6-0-1) begins a four-match road tilt this week beginning at the University of Kentucky (3-3-1). The Redhawks and Wildcats kick off at 6:30 p.m., CT, from the Wendell & Vickie Bell Soccer Complex in Lexington, Kentucky.
 
Wednesday's match at Kentucky will be streamed live on the SEC Network +. Fans can tune in on WatchESPN and the ESPN app with a valid cable subscription.
 
Series History
Wednesday's match will be the fourth meeting between Southeast Missouri and Kentucky. The Redhawks were victorious 2002, the first meeting, by a score of 2-1. The Redhawks made trips to Lexington in back-to-back seasons in 2011 and 2012 as part of a tournament hosted by Kentucky each season. In both matches against UK, the Redhawks were shutout by scores of 2-0 and 1-0, respectively.
 
Scouting the Opponent
Kentucky enters Wednesday's match with a 3-3-1 record on the season. Two of their three victories have been shutouts for the Wildcats including High Point (3-0) and most recently Murray State (5-0). Kentucky took down ACC powerhouse Louisville on the road by a score of 3-1 on Sept. 2. UK opened SEC play last week with a 2-1 loss to Florida at home. Tanya Samarzich leads the team with five goals this season. She has taken 15 shots, putting 11 on goal. Goalkeeper Evangeline Soucie has allowed 10 goals and has a .750 save percentage.
 
Win Over the SEC
SEMO's season-opening win over the University of Tennessee was the third win over an SEC team in the history of Southeast soccer. The first came at Kentucky on Sept. 20, 2002, 2-1. The second was at home against Arkansas on Aug. 27, 2004, 3-2.
 
What's Ahead
Southeast Missouri will play the non-conference finale this Sunday at in-state foe Missouri State. The Redhawks and Bears are slated to begin at 1 p.m. from Springfield. Ohio Valley Conference play begins next week with matches at Eastern Illinois (Sept. 23) and SIUE (Sept. 25).
 
adidas® OVC Offensive Player of the Week
Natasha Minor was named the adidas® OVC Offensive Player of the Week this week. Minor scored four goals in two matches this week including earning her first hat trick on Wednesday. Minor scored the go-ahead goal in the sixth minute on a penalty kick then netted the game winner in the 14th minute. She fired off a career-high eight shots in the match. It was Minor who scored the game winner on a header from a corner kick in Sunday's 1-0 shutout of Florida Atlantic. Minor played 137 minutes of the Redhawks' 180 this week. It's the second weekly honor of her four-year career.
 
In the National Rankings
The Redhawk defense is having a strong showing among national statistical rankings. SEMO's 0.273 goals against average ranks ninth, save percentage (.923) ranks eighth, and shutout percentage (.714) ranks 15th. Individually, Kindra Lierz ranks 12th with a 0.273 goals against average, 14th with a .917 save percentage, and tied for fourth with five shutouts. Offensively, Natasha Minor ranks sixth in game-winning goals (3), 24th in total points (14), 19th in total goals (6), 25th in points per game (2.00), and 24th in goals per game (0.86).
 
Shutout Soccer
Of Southeast's seven matches this season, the Redhawks have recorded shutouts in five of them. The Redhawk defense has only allowed two goals this season, one each to the two Division II opponents the Redhawks have met in 2016; meaning Southeast has played 480 minutes of shutout Division I soccer.
 
Unbeaten Division I Teams
Including Southeast Missouri, there are currently 16 unbeaten teams in NCAA Division I soccer. Of those 16, six are off to perfect starts. Wake Forest is the only 8-0 team this season. SEMO's .929 winning percentage is tied for eighth.
 
Active Career List
Currently in her junior season, Kindra Lierz ranks 12th among active Division I goalkeepers with a 0.72 career goals against average. Her .467 shutout percentage ranks 19th in her career.