2021 OVC Championship Semifinals
Game #19
#7 Southeast Missouri (7-9-2)
vs. #2 SIUE (9-6)
Match Information
Date: Friday, Nov. 5, 2021
Location: Martin, Tenn.
Venue: Skyhawk Soccer Field
First Kick: 7 p.m., CT
All-Time Series: SEMO leads SIUE, 8-6-3
Last Meeting: 3-1 SIUE Win | Oct. 21, 2021 | Edwardsville, Ill.  
Live Stats: StatBroadcast
Live Video: ESPN+

Game Notes: Southeast Missouri
 
#7 Redhawks Take on #2 SIUE in 2021 OVC Championship Semifinals Friday
No. 7-seeded Southeast Missouri women's soccer (7-9-2) faces #2 SIUE (9-6) in the 2021 Ohio Valley Conference Championship Semifinals Friday evening in Martin, Tennessee. First kick is set for 7 p.m., CT at the Skyhawk Soccer Field on the campus of top-seeded UT Martin.
 
With a win over SIUE, SEMO would then face the winner of #1 UT Martin and #5 Tennessee Tech who compete in the first semifinal at 4 p.m.
 
Follow the Redhawks
• Stats will be available for Friday's game on SEMORedhawks.com
• Friday's game will be streamed on ESPN+
• @SEMOSoccer, the official Twitter page of Redhawks soccer, will feature live in-game updates all season long.
•  The 2021 Southeast Missouri women's soccer media guide is a source of information for the news media covering the Redhawks. 
 
Series History
Cougars
SEMO leads SIUE, 8-6-3, in the all-time series between the two schools.
 
The Cougars beat the Redhawks, 3-1, in the 2021 regular season on Oct. 21. Elizabeth Rater evened the contest with her team-high third goal of the season before the Cougars scored two unanswered goals for the win at Ralph Korte Stadium in Edwardsville, Illinois.
 
Prior to that, the two teams last met in the 2020-21 OVC Championship Final April 17, 2021 in Murray, Kentucky, with the Cougars prevailing 2-1 in overtime to capture the tournament championship. Lauren Welker scored in the 52nd minute.
 
SEMO and SIUE have faced off in the OVC Championship the past two seasons. In 2019, #4 Cougars beat the top-seeded Redhawks and OVC Regular-Season Champions, 2-1, at Houck Field in Cape Girardeau, Missouri.
 
SEMO last beat SIUE Oct. 3, 2019, 2-1, in double overtime in Cape Girardeau, Missouri.

Skyhawks
SEMO leads UT Martin, 11-10-6, in the all-time series between the two schools.

The Skyhawks won the 2021 regular-season meeting, 4-1, in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, at Houck Field. Natalie Jackson registered her first career goal as a Redhawk to knot the contest at 1-1 before three unanswered goals in the second half by UTM.
 
UTM has gone unbeaten (4-0-1) in the last five matchups. The two teams tied in 2019 (Oct. 20, 2019), 2-2, in Martin, Tennessee.
 
SEMO last defeated the Skyhawks on October 27, 2016 with a 4-1 victory at Houck Field.
 
Golden Eagles
SEMO leads the all-time matchup history with Tennessee Tech, 16-6-4. The Redhawks are unbeaten in the last five meetings (3-0-2).
 
The two teams tied 0-0 in a double overtime contest to conclude the 2021 OVC regular season on Oct. 24, 2021 at Houck Field in Cape Girardeau, Missouri.
 
SEMO edged TTU, 1-0, March 19, 2021 in the 2020-21 regular season meeting in Cape Girardeau, Missouri. Lexi Grote buried a shot in the bottom left corner of the net in the 79th minute to push SEMO past the Golden Eagles. The goal was Grote's first of the season and came off a pass from Hannah Compernolle.
 
SEMO overcame the Golden Eagles, 3-2, Oct. 27, 2019 at Houck Field to capture the 2019 OVC regular-season title and clinch the top seed for the league's postseason tournament. Jennifer Brien (31'), Lexi Grote (47') and Megan Heisserer (80') scored in the victory.

Scouting the Opponents
Cougars
#2 SIUE and #1 UT Martin shared the 2021 OVC Regular-Season title as both teams tallied 6-2 conference marks. UTM earned the top-seed to host with the tiebreak between the two schools.

Mackenzie Litszinger and Andrea Frerker were named 2021 OVC Forward and Midfielder of the Year, respectively. Both were selected to the 2021 OVC First Team with Lily Schnieders and Maria Haro. Katilyn Nichols and Grace Cobb earned All-Newcomer honors from the league.

Litszinger led the league with 15 points (5g-5a) followed by Haro (5g-3a-13pts), Schnieders (3g-3a-9pts). Frerker tallied seven points (1g-5a) and Nichols posted three goals (6pts).

Skyhawks
UTM is the top-seeded host for the 2021 OVC Championship Semifinals and Final.
 
Kamryn Chappell was named the 2021 OVC Defender of the Year while Parker Gelinas was tabbed the Freshman of the Year. Phil McNamara was awarded 2021 OVC Coach of the Year. Five Skyhawks were featured on the 2021 All-OVC Team in Chappell (First Team), Gelinas (First Team, All-Newcomer), goalkeeper Erica Myers (Second Team), Makayla Robinson (Second Team, All-Newcomer) and Izzy Patterson (Second Team, All-Newcomer).
 
Jill Hildreth (3g-2a) and Emely van der Vliet (four goals) were fifth in the OVC with eight points. van der Vliet ranked third for goals followed by Hildreth, Emma Elliott (2g) and Brooke Kala (2g).
 
Golden Eagles
Tennessee Tech registered a 3-2-3 mark in league play for the fifth seed in the 2021 OVC Championship. TTU beat #8 EIU, 1-0, on Oct. 29 and then edged #4 Murray State, 2-1, in the quarterfinals in Murray, Kentucky.
 
Four Golden Eagles appeared on 2021 All-OVC Teams in Chloe Smith (First Team), Meredith Nye (Second Team), Selma Askildesen (Second Team) and Emily Payne (All-Newcomer).
 
Smith ranks third in the OVC with nine points (3g-3a). Nye and Bailey Taylor are ninth with two goals each.
 
Rater and Khedoo Named All-OVC
Midfielders Elizabeth Rater and Kiana Khedoo were named to the 2021 All-OVC Teams on Thursday. It marked the first time either student-athlete was awarded All-OVC laurels.
 
Rater was named to the 2021 All-OVC Second Team and All-Newcomer Team. The freshman from Mequon, Wisconsin, led the Redhawks in conference play with two goals (four points) in eight games. Overall, she is first on the team with three goals in 2021 and second with six points (3g).
 
In OVC play, Rater ranks ninth in the league for goals (2g) and 10th with 0.25 goals per game.
 
Khedoo, a sophomore from Brampton, Ontario, Canada, was selected to the 2021 All-OVC Second Team. She registered an assist, making seven starts in eight league games. Overall in 2021, Khedoo has totaled three points (1g-1a) in 18 games (13 starts).
 
OVC Championship Tournament History
SEMO is 15-14-7 at the OVC Championship Tournament and is competing in its 20th all-time appearance at the Tournament.
 
The Redhawks have qualified for the OVC Championship Tournament each of the past five seasons.
 
The Redhawks last competed at the Tournament in Martin, Tennessee, in 2013 and 2012. #3 SEMO lost to #6 Austin Peay in the quarterfinals, 1-0, in 2013.
 
In 2012, the Redhawks advanced to the semifinals after beating #5 Belmont, 1-0 in the quarterfinals as the fourth seed. SEMO then fell to top-seeded UTM, 1-0, in the semifinals.
 
SEMO is also 0-2-0 against SIUE at the OVC Championship Tournament, most recently falling to the #2 Cougars, 2-1, in double overtime in the Finals during the 2020-21 season in Murray, Kentucky. SEMO also lost to SIUE in the semifinals of the tournament in 2019 in Cape Girardeau, Missouri.
 
SEMO is 2-0-0 against Tennessee Tech and 2-1-0 against UT Martin at the Tournament.
 
The no. 6 Redhawks last beat #2 TTU, 2-0, in the Semifinals in 2015 in Murray, Kentucky.
 
SEMO last met UTM at the tournament in the semifinals in 2012 with the top-seeded Skyhawks winning 1-0.
 
SEMO is 6-4-2 at neutral sites in the tournament and 4-6-3 as the away team.

The Redhawks have won the OVC Championship Tournament twice in 2006 and 2007.
 
SEMO advanced to the OVC Championship Final during the 2020-21 season. The #4 Redhawks edged top-seeded Murray State, 1-0, in the semifinals before falling to #2 SIUE, 2-1 in overtime.
 
Emma Brune, a 2020-21 All-OVC Second Team and All-Newcomer Team honoree, provided the game-winner in the 12th minute of regulation to lift the Redhawks past Murray State.
 
SEMO grabbed an initial 1-0 lead in the 52nd minute of play against SIUE. Lauren Welker, the Redhawks leading scorer last season and 2020-21 All-OVC First Team player, found the back of the net off a feed from Morgan McCourt. SIUE then knotted the contest at 1-1 in the 69th minute of regulation to force the decisive overtime period before capturing the title.
 
Welker, McCourt and Brune were all selected to the 2020-21 All-OVC Tournament team at the conclusion of the game.
 
SEMO last hosted the OVC Championship Tournament in 2019 and fell to #4 SIUE, 2-1, in the Semifinals on Nov. 8. Natalie Jackson and Esmie Gonzales were named to the 2019 OVC All-Tournament Team.
 
OVC Championship Opening Weekend Recap
SEMO edged #6 Morehead State in the opening round on Oct. 29, 1-0, before overcoming #3 Belmont in overtime, 2-1, on Halloween (Oct. 31).
 
Welker registered her first goal of the 2021 season for the game-winner against Morehead State. Anne-Clara Couturier, a sophomore from Rouyn-Noranda, Quebec, Canada, was credited with her first career assist on the play. 
 
Welker then scored her second goal of the campaign against Belmont before tallying the game-winning assist on Morgan McCourt's golden goal.
 
Welker Doing Welker Things in the OVC Championship Tournament
Lauren Welker tallied a pair of goals and an assist for five points to propel SEMO into the 2021 Ohio Valley Conference Championship Semifinals.
 
The Jackson, Missouri, native registered the game-winner against #6 Morehead State Friday (10/29) in the opening round for her first goal in 2021. Welker finished with a team-high three shots (2 SOG) in 70 minutes on the pitch.
 
She then notched her eighth career goal to provide the Redhawks a 1-0 advantage against #3 host Belmont Sunday (10/31) in the quarterfinals. Welker wasn't done, registering the assist on Morgan McCourt's overtime golden goal at 91:56. Welker finished Sunday's game with a goal and an assist for her first career three-point game as a Redhawk. She also competed in 55 minutes, tallying a shot on target.
 
Welker has now scored in each of the last three Redhawks OVC Championship Tournament games dating back to the 2020-21 OVC Championship Tournament Final against SIUE in Murray, Kentucky (April 17, 2021).
 
Welker leads the Redhawks in 2021 with eight points (2g-4a), four assists and 15 shots (7SOG). She is also second on the team for goals (2g).
 
Welker registered a pair of assists in Aug. 22's victory over Maryville. Welker finished with three shots (two on goal) to complement her two assists. 
 
Welker also played three-straight 90 minute games against Maryville (8/22), Missouri-St. Louis (8/26) and at Mississippi State (8/29). She also played in three-straight full matches against Missouri State (9/19), versus Belmont (9/26, 102 minutes, 2OT) and at Murray State (9/30). 
 
McCourt with the Game Winner
Morgan McCourt registered the golden goal less than two minutes into the overtime period to send SEMO to the 2021 OVC Semifinals with a 2-1 victory over #3 Belmont (8-8-1) Oct. 31 at E.S. Rose Park.
 
McCourt, a redshirt-junior from Burlington, Wisconsin, registered her first goal of the season and seventh in her career to lift the Redhawks past Belmont. She competed in 67 minutes on the pitch, leading the Redhawks with three shots including two on target.
 
Redden Ranks First in SEMO History for Saves
Bailey Redden registered four saves against Morehead State en route to her seventh shutout of the season on Oct. 29. She now has 21 shutouts in her career at SEMO.
 
With the four saves, Redden overtook Kindra Lierz (296 career saves, 2014-17) for the top spot in the Redhawks record books. Redden has now compiled 302 in her career at SEMO.
 
Redden has registered a shutout in five of the last seven games for SEMO.
 
Redden has 21 shutouts in her career and sits fourth in the SEMO record books. She also ranks second for minutes played (5,358), and fourth for wins (28), and fifth for save percentage (.811).
  
In the OVC, Redden is first for shutouts (7), second for save percentage (0.798), third for saves per game (4.69) and saves (75), fourth for goalie minutes played (1494:02) and fifth for goals against average (1.145).

In strictly league play, Redden is first for shutouts (4, 0.50 shutout/game), second for saves (35), fourth for save percentage (.778) and saves per game (4.38) and sixth for goals against average (1.17).
 
Redden plays for the Fire & Ice soccer team during the summers and was recently named the Women's Premier Soccer League Central Region Midwestern Conference Goalkeeper of the Year. 
 
Rater Leads the Redhawks Offensively
Freshman Elizabeth Rater leads the Redhawks in 2021 with three goals for six points including four points (2g, 0.25 goals/game, eighth in the OVC) in league play.
 
Both of Rater's goals in OVC competition have been on headers. She most recently headed in a service from Lexi Grote to tie the game at SIUE at 1-1 in the 16th minute on Oct. 16.
 
Trailing at the break 1-0 at Murray State on Sept. 30, Rater knotted the contest with a header in the 47th minute. Katelyn Miller of Jackson, Missouri, fed Rater for her first career assist as a Redhawk.

Rater, a Mequon, Wisconsin native, has appeared in all 18 games with eight starts in the midfield. She has started in the last four games including both of SEMO's 2021 OVC Championship games in Nashville, Tennessee this past week.

Grote With the Service
Senior Lexi Grote registered her first point of the season and fourth career assist when she sent in a set piece that Elizabeth Rater headed in for a goal Oct. 16 at SIUE.
 
Grote has started in 16 games in 2021 on the Redhawks defense, competing in 1,147 minutes. She has played in five full matches this season. The senior from Granite City, Illinois, appeared in her 81st career cap against Belmont (Oct. 31). She ranks second in program history for games behind teammate Hannah Compernolle (83 games).

Iron Lady
Emma Brune has played in a career-best 1,646 minutes this season for SEMO and leads the Redhawks in playing time in 2021. Brune has played in the entire regulation in 29 career games including 17 in 2021.
 
She has played in the full regulation on the Redhawks defense in each of the past seven games including most recently 90 in both of SEMO's 2021 OVC Championship games against Morehead State (Oct. 29) and Belmont (Oct. 30, 92 minutes).
 
Brune, a sophomore from Cape Girardeau, Missouri, competed in 64 minutes against UT Martin on Oct. 3, snapping her streak of playing every minute of regulation at 22-straight games (10 in 2021 and 12 in 2020-21) dating back to this past spring's 2020-21 season.
 
Brune also notched the game winner against Missouri State on Sept. 19 in the non-conference finale.

Total 90
Besides Brune, four Redhawk field players have played in all 90 minutes of regulation in 2021.
  
Natalie Jackson has played in the full regulation in each of the last 12 games, most recently playing in the full 90 against Morehead State (10/29) and 92 versus Belmont (10/31).
 
Jackson also played in the full 90 at Iowa (9/12), against Missouri State (9/19), 102 minutes versus Belmont (9/26, 2OT), at Murray State (9/30), versus UT Martin (10/3), at Austin Peay (10/10), against Eastern Illinois (10/14), 110 minutes at Morehead State (10/17), at SIUE (10/21) and 110 against Tennessee Tech (10/24).

Lauren Welker played three-straight 90 minute games against Maryville (8/22), Missouri-St. Louis (8/26) and at Mississippi State (8/29). She also played in three-straight full matches against Missouri State (9/19), versus Belmont (9/26, 102 minutes, 2OT) and at Murray State (9/30). 

Kate Daus has played in the full regulation seven times in 2021. She most recently registered the feat against Morehead State in the opening round of the 2021 OVC Championship on Oct. 29. Daus also played in the full 90 at Murray State (9/30) and back-to-back games against Eastern Illinois (Oct. 14), at Morehead State (Oct. 17, 110 minutes), against Tennessee Tech (110 minutes) in the regular-season finale on Oct. 24. She also appeared in the full 90 in consecutive games at Mississippi State (8/29) and at Evansville (9/2).
 
Lexi Grote has played in the full regulation five times in 2021 including most recently 90 against Morehead State in the opening round of the 2021 OVC Championship on Oct. 29.
 
She has also played in the full 90 against Missouri State (9/19), against UT Martin (10/3), versus Eastern Illinois (10/14) and 110 against Tennessee Tech on (10/24).
 
Compernolle Becomes SEMO's All-Time Games Leader
Hannah Compernolle played in 19 minutes at SIUE on Oct. 21 for her 80th career game to move to first in SEMO program history for games played. The fifth-year senior from Mount Pleasant, Wisconsin, entered the game tied for first in the Redhawk record books with Lisa Schweppe (2002-2005, 79) for career games played. Compernolle heads into the 2021 OVC Championship Semifinals with 83 career caps.
 
Compernolle netted her second career goal as a Redhawk in SEMO's 1-0 victory over Austin Peay on Oct. 10. The goal was her first career game winner. In her career, Compernolle has totaled two goals and four assists for eight points.
 
First Career Goal for Miller
Katelyn Miller, a freshman forward from Jackson, Missouri, registered her first career goal to lift SEMO past Eastern Illinois, 1-0, Oct. 14 at Houck Field. Miller notched the game-winner in the second minute.
 
Miller has played in 18 games including eight starts at forward in 2021. She is fourth on the Redhawks with three points (1g-1a). Miller is also second on SEMO with 11 shots and is third with six shots on goal.
 
Jackson Connection
Senior Lauren Welker and freshman Katelyn Miller had the Jackson, Missouri, connection on full display Oct. 14 against Eastern Illinois when the former found the latter for the game winner in a 1-0 contest at Houck Field.
 
The Jackson duo leads SEMO in shots with 15 (7 SOG) and 11 (6 SOG), respectively.
 
For Miller it was her first career goal, and the assist was Welker's seventh of her career. Welker paces the Redhawks in 2021 with four assists.

First OVC Win
SEMO captured its first Ohio Valley Conference victory in 2021 Oct. 10 when the Redhawks overcame Austin Peay, 1-0, at the Morgan Brothers Soccer Field in Clarksville, Tennessee. Hannah Compernolle registered the game-winner at 2:14 in the first half to secure the Redhawks first OVC triumph of the campaign. Kiana Khedoo and Abby Tremain notched the assists on the play.
 
Khedoo is tied for fourth on the team in 2021 with three points (1g-1a).
 
Bailey Redden made two saves in the victory.

Gabby Gscheidmeier compiled her second career start on defense.
 
With the win, SEMO halted its losing streak at three and road losing streak at six.
  
First Career Helper for Tremain
Abby Tremain, a senior midfielder from Bridgeton, Missouri, compiled her first career assist in SEMO's 1-0 win at Austin Peay Oct. 10. Tremain received a pass from Kiana Khedoo before finding Hannah Compernolle with a cross. Compernolle then beat Peyton Powell for her first goal in 2021.
 
Tremain competed in 56 minutes on the pitch in the win. She has accumulated five total points (2g-1a) in her career at SEMO.
  
Jackson Nets First Career Goal
Natalie Jackson, a defender from O'Fallon, Missouri, notched her first career goal at SEMO Oct. 3 in the Redhawks 4-1 loss to UT Martin.
 
Jackson played in all 90 minutes on defense and led the team in shots with one on goal versus UTM.
 
Non-Conference Recap
SEMO wrapped up the non-conference slate with an overall record of 3-5-0. The Redhawks dropped road tests at Memphis (4-0, Aug. 19), Mississippi State (1-0, Aug. 29) of the Southeastern Conference, Evansville (1-0, Sept. 2) and the Big Ten's Indiana (6-0, Sept. 5) and Iowa (2-0, Sept. 12). SEMO was perfect at home during non-conference play with victories over Maryville (4-1, Aug. 22), Missouri-St. Louis (1-0, Aug. 26) and Missouri State (1-0, Sept. 19).
 
Anne-Clara Couturier (2), Kiana Khedoo, Elizabeth Rater, Emma Brune and Zoey Memmel all scored during the slate.
 
Brune Ball
Emma Brune converted her third career goal on a header off a corner kick in the 35th minute Sept. 19 against Missouri State. Kate Daus provided the service for the game-winner. Brune paced all field players with four shots including two shots on goal, competing in all 90 minutes. She started at forward and moved to midfield midway through the first half.
 
Hey Abby
Senior goalkeeper Abby Rollet made her first two starts in net for the Redhawks this season in the state of Indiana Sept. 2-5. The Perryville, Missouri native, made her first start in net since the 2019 Ohio Valley Conference Championship Tournament on Nov. 8, 2019 in Cape Girardeau, Missouri. Rollet tallied five saves against Evansville on Sept. 2. Rollet finished the weekend with a career-best 12 saves against the Hoosiers on Sept. 5.
  
What a Debut for Couturier
Sophomore Anne-Clara Couturier, a Rouyn-Noranda, Quebec, Canada native, netted a pair including the game-winner in her Redhawks debut Aug. 22 against Maryville. Couturier, a sophomore transfer from Southeastern (NAIA in Florida), finished with a pair of goals on two shots on net in 45 minutes of action as a second-half substitution.
 
She is third on the Redhawks in 2021 with two goals for five points and second for goals.
 
Redhawks Debut
Zoey Memmel, Grace Crowden, Emma Tucker, Elizabeth Rater, Katelyn Miller and Natalie Miller all made their SEMO debuts at Memphis on Aug. 19. Memmel appeared in the starting 11 and played in 46 minutes. Crowden led the newcomers with 68 minutes on the pitch. Gabby Gscheidmeier also made her first career start as a Redhawk in the contest.
 
Anne-Clara Couturier made her SEMO debut against Maryville on Aug. 22. Katelyn Miller and Crowden both made their first career starts as Redhawks in the win.
 
Couturier made her first career start against UMSL on Aug. 26. Rater tallied her first start on Aug. 29 at Mississippi State.
 
Tucker also made her first career start at Indiana on Sept. 5.
 
2021 OVC Preseason Poll
SEMO was selected to finish the 2021 season third in the Ohio Valley Conference. Senior midfielder Lauren Welker was tabbed to the 2021 OVC Players to Watch List.
 
The Redhawks received two first-place votes and 99 points in the projected order of finish for third. SIUE, the 2020-21 OVC Tournament Champions, was picked first with 12 first-place votes and 121 points. Murray State, the 2020-21 OVC Regular Season Champions, was pegged second with four first-place votes and 116 points.
 
Welker, a senior from Jackson, Missouri, was named to her first career OVC preseason team.
   
2020-21 Season Recap
SEMO fashioned a 7-4-1 overall mark in 2020-21 including a 6-3-1 record during conference play, which tied for third in the OVC. The Redhawks qualified for their fourth-straight OVC Championship Tournament and 19th all-time appearance this past spring.
 
SEMO finished as the 2020-21 OVC Championship Tournament runners-up, downing top-seeded Murray State, 1-0, in the Semifinals as the fourth seed before falling to SIUE, the 2020-21 Champions, 2-1, in overtime of the Championship Finals.
 
The Redhawks opened the campaign with five-straight victories and a tie for a six-game (5-0-1) unbeaten streak to start 2020-21.
 
Roster Breakdown
The Redhawks return 18 letterwinners and all but two starters from the 2020-21 squad. Lexi Grote and Hannah Compernolle return for their fifth-year senior seasons along with true seniors, Bailey Redden, Lauren Welker, Abby Tremain, Kate Daus and Abby Rollet.
 
Welker led the Redhawks offensively in 2020-21 with six goals and four assists for 16 points. The Jackson, Missouri, midfielder, also registered a team-best 18 shots including 12 on goal and tallied a pair of game-winning goals. Welker was named to the 2020-21 All-OVC First Team and selected to the 2020-21 All-OVC Tournament team.
 
Redden returns in net and started and played in all 1,103 minutes of regulation over 12 games in 2020-21, tallying a record of 7-4-1. She posted five or more saves in nine games and notched a career best six shutouts (first in the OVC) in 2020-21. Redden finished the campaign with a league-best 68 saves.
 
Sophomore midfielder Emma Brune played in all 1,103 minutes during 2020-21, registering two goals for four points on 14 shots in her freshman campaign. The Cape Girardeau native, was selected to the All-OVC Second Team, All-Newcomer Team and All-OVC Tournament Team in 2020-21.
 
Junior defender Natalie Jackson dished out a pair of assists while also never leaving the pitch in 2020-21, competing in all 1,103 minutes.
 
Redshirt-junior forward/midfielder Morgan McCourt also returns after earning 2020-21 All-OVC Tournament team honors. She was second on the Redhawks with four points (1g-2a) and 14 shots (11 on goal).
 
Newcomers
The 2021 Redhawks roster features seven newcomers with freshmen Katelyn Miller, Elizabeth Rater, Grace Crowden and Emma Tucker, sophomores Anne-Clara Couturier and Zoey Memmel along with junior Natalie Miller.
 
The Jackson 5
SEMO has five players from Jackson, Missouri, on their 2021 roster with newcomers Grace Crowden, Katelyn Miller, and Natalie Miller, along with returners Lauren Welker and Taylor Nelson.
 
SEMOBall Article
 
Home Grown from the Southeast Region of Missouri
The 2021 Redhawks roster features eight players from the Southeast region of Missouri. In addition to the five Jackson student-athletes in Grace Crowden, Katelyn Miller, Natalie Miller, Lauren Welker and Taylor Nelson, the group of locals also includes Abby Rollet (Perryville, Notre Dame HS), Emma Brune (Cape Girardeau, Saxony Lutheran HS) and Megan Heisserer (Scott City, Notre Dame HS).

Uniform Changes
Megan Heisserer and Faith Liljegren have both changed their uniform numbers for the 2021 season. Heisserer will switch to #14 after wearing #16 her first two seasons. Liljegren will wear #10 after sporting #23 during her freshman campaign. 
 
Academic Excellence
Redhawks Soccer led the SEMO Athletics Department with 10 selections to the Ohio Valley Conference Academic Medals of Honor for the 2020-21 academic year. Kayla Byrd, Hannah Compernolle, Kate Daus, Emily Holten, Kiana Khedoo, Faith Liljegren, Morgan McCourt, Taylor Nelson, Maddie Paulson and Bailey Redden earned perfect 4.0 GPAs during the 2020-21 academic year.
 
SEMO also had 18 student-athletes listed on the OVC Commissioner's Honor Roll for the 2020-21 academic year. Emma Brune, Kayla Byrd, Hannah Compernolle, Kate Daus, Lexi Grote, Gabby Gscheidmeier, Megan Heisserer, Emily Holten, Nadiia Ivanchenko, Mariah Johnson, Kiana Khedoo, Faith Liljegren, Morgan McCourt, Taylor Nelson, Maddie Paulson, Bailey Redden, Abby Tremain and Lauren Welker all notched at least a 3.25 grade point average in 2020-21.
 
SEMO was also named a United Soccer Coaches 2020-21 Team Academic Award Winner. The Redhawks' GPA of 3.79 was the third highest team GPA in all NCAA Division I Women's Soccer (342 schools) and tied for seventh for all NCAA Division I, Division II and Division III Programs in the Nation (509 schools).
 
Looking Ahead
With a victory over SIUE, SEMO would then face the winner of #1 UT Martin and #5 Tennessee Tech who compete in the first semifinal at 4 p.m. Friday. The 2021 OVC Tournament Champion receives the leagues automatic bid into the 2021 NCAA Division I Tournament.