CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. – Megan Heisserer's game-winning goal in the 81st minute propelled Southeast Missouri women's soccer (2-2) past Columbia College (0-1), 1-0, Sunday evening at Houck Field.
For Heisserer, a redshirt junior forward from Scott City, Missouri, the goal was her first of the season (fifth in her career) and held special meaning in her long road back to the pitch.
The goal Sunday was Heisserer's first since Oct. 27, 2019, after she missed the entire 2021 campaign after suffering a season-ending injury in the 2020-21 opener on March 5, 2021.
Heisserer's prior score on Oct. 27, 2019, was another game winner that helped the Redhawks claim the 2019 Ohio Valley Conference Regular-Season title.
She finished Sunday with a team-best three shots (2 SOG) in 48 minutes of action. Heisserer made her second-straight start in 2022 Sunday against the Cougars.
She looked to put the Redhawks up in the 11th minute but her shot just missed off the post. Heisserer continued the pressure and registered a header on frame four minutes later.
SEMO and Columbia College went to the break scoreless with shots all square at 6-6 (4-4 SOG).
The Redhawks would then lead the shot margin 6-3 in the final 45 minutes to finish with a slight edge of 12-9 (8-7 SOG).
Cayla Koerner, a freshman forward from Mahomet, Illinois, also had three shots Sunday including a pair on target.
Zoe Houston, a freshman from St. Charles, Missouri, added a pair of shots on goal Sunday, her first as a Redhawk.
Elizabeth Rater and
Zoey Memmel both posted shots on goal while
Emma Brune and
Alayna Jakul each had shots.
Sophia Elfrink, a freshman goalkeeper from Columbia, Missouri, notched seven saves for her second career win and shutout.
Macie Lucas and Grace Winegar led the Cougars, a National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) institution, with two shots on goal each.
Brune,
Mariah Mannino, and
Natalie Jackson all played in the full 90 minutes in the field Sunday.
For Mannino, Jackson, and Elfrink, it was their fourth-straight full regulation game in 2022.
For Brune, it was her third 90-minute game of the season (33rd in her career).
Sunday's game was delayed 30 minutes due to lightning in the area.
SEMO will next hit the road as they venture to the state of Colorado for two matches. The first coming on Sept. 1 versus Colorado College. First kick is slated for 7 p.m., CT in Colorado Springs, Colorado. SEMO will wrap up its Colorado tour with a match Sunday, Sept. 4, when they take on Mountain West Conference opponent Colorado State in Fort Collins. That match is scheduled for 3 p.m., CT at CSU Soccer Field.
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