LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – Southeast Missouri women's soccer (6-5-1, 2-1-1 OVC) registered two unanswered second half goals to overcome Ohio Valley Conference newcomer, Little Rock (5-6-2, 2-3-0 OVC), 2-1, Thursday afternoon at the Coleman Sports Complex.
 
With the win, SEMO improved to 5-0-0 all-time in its series with the Trojans. Thursday marked the first time the two institutions squared off on the pitch as conference opponents. 
 
Trailing 1-0 at the break, Cayla Koerner and Morgan McCourt registered goals in the second half to provide the Redhawks their second win in OVC play in 2022. 
 
Koerner corralled a throw in from Faith Liljegren in the 54th minute before blasting a left-footed rocket into the top left corner of the net to even the match at 1-1.
 
For Koerner, a freshman forward from Mahomet, Illinois, the strike was her team-leading third goal of the season (6 points) and her second in the past three conference games. 
 
Liljegren was awarded her team-high third assist in 2022. 
 
McCourt then compiled the game winner, her second in her career as a Redhawk at 65:55. 
 
Alayna Jakul opened the sequence with a cross that just missed McCourt's outstretched leg. The Redhawks then fired in a secondary cross that Elizabeth Rater banged off the post and caromed to an awaiting McCourt who found the bottom left corner of the net with her right foot. 
 
For McCourt, a redshirt senior forward from Burlington, Wisconsin, the goal was her first of the 2022 campaign and eighth in her career. 
 
Rater was credited with her first career assist on the play.
 
SEMO outshot the Trojans, 6-2 (5-1 SOG), in the second half after opening the game with just one shot on goal in the first 45 minutes Thursday. 
 
Amaya Arias scored for the Trojans off a free kick in the 10th minute of play off an assist from Natalee Geren. 
 
Little Rock held a shot differential of 6-1 in the first half and concluded the game with an 8-7 (4-6 SOG) advantage in the category.
 
Emma Brune notched the lone Redhawks shot on goal in the first half with a shot from the top of the box early in the third minute Thursday. 
 
Brune, a junior midfielder from Cape Girardeau, Missouri, paced SEMO with a season-high three shots (2 SOG).
 
Jakul added a pair of shots on target in 82 minutes on the pitch.
 
Brune (10th straight, 11th in 2022), Maddie Paulson (fifth in last six games), and Natalie Jackson (12 of 12 in 2022) all competed in the full 90 minutes as field players for SEMO Thursday. 
 
Sophia Elfrink made three saves to improve to 6-5-1 in 2022.
 
Paige Henry was tagged with the loss, making three saves while allowing both Redhawk goals in the second half. Peyton Urban started for the Trojans and had a save in the opening 45 minutes. 
 
Serenity Thake led Little Rock with three shots (1 SOG) while Jessie Vaden added two (1 SOG).
 
Abbie Smith (22') and Arias (28') were both assessed yellow cards in the first half. 
 
SEMO wore specialty pink and white jerseys Thursday for October's Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
 
The Redhawks next return home to Houck Field on Sunday when they welcome Morehead State (6-4-2, 3-0-1 OVC) to Cape Girardeau, Missouri, for Senior Day. SEMO will honor seniors Natalie Miller, Morgan McCourt, Gabby Gscheidmeier, and Mariah Mannino prior to Sunday's 1 p.m., CT, kickoff. 
 
Sunday is also Hispanic Heritage Day. Fans in attendance Sunday will receive a free t-shirt courtesy of Burrito-Ville, while supplies last. Mr. Taco Food Truck will also be serving food for purchase in the East endzone.