STARKVILLE, Miss. – Southeast Missouri women's soccer (2-2) fell to Mississippi State (2-2) of the Southeastern Conference, 1-0, Sunday afternoon at the MSU Soccer Field.
SEMO held the Bulldogs scoreless through the opening 45 minutes in a game that the Redhawks were outshot, 19-5.
Mississippi State held a 9-2 advantage in shots at the break with four shots on goal compared to SEMO's two.
Onyi Echegini, who was named to the SEC Coaches' Preseason Watch List, netted the game winner for Mississippi State in the 49th minute of regulation off a pass from Hannah Johnson.
Echegini and Johnson both finished with five shots including three shots on goal.
SEMO looked to have the equalizer off a header from
Nadiia Ivanchenko at the 73:12 mark, but Maddy Anderson was there to bat the attempt away.
Senior
Hannah Compernolle also had a prime opportunity in the 55th minute but Anderson stopped her shot to the top left corner.
Goalkeeper
Bailey Redden registered eight saves including three crucial blocks in the waning moments of regulation.
Redden stopped Echegini's shot off a free kick after a Redhawks foul in the 86th minute before making a pair of stops on Johnson in the 89th and 90th minutes.
Anderson was awarded the win with five saves for MSU.
The Bulldogs had nine shots on goal compared to SEMO's five.
Compernolle, Ivanchenko,
Mariah Johnson,
Kate Daus and
Natalie Miller each had a shot on goal Sunday.
Emma Brune, Daus and
Lauren Welker played in all 90 minutes of action. For Brune, it was her 16th-straight game dating back to this past spring's 2020-21 season, playing in every minute of regulation. For Welker, it was her third-straight 90-minute game in 2021.
Elizabeth Rater made her first career start as a Redhawk, finishing with 59 minutes.
Kiana Khedoo was assessed a yellow card in the 85th minute.
Sunday's game was moved up from 1 p.m. to 12 p.m., due to inclement weather in the forecast because of Hurricane Ida.
SEMO will stay on the road for three consecutive contests. The Redhawks will travel to Evansville, Indiana, on Thursday, Sept. 2 to face the Purple Aces. First kick is slated for 6 p.m. CT. SEMO will conclude next week Sept. 5 against Indiana in Bloomington, Indiana.
