MACOMB, Ill. – Southeast Missouri women's soccer drew with Western Illinois, 1-1, Sunday afternoon in an exhibition match held at John MacKenzie Alumni Field. The competition was SEMO's first exhibition of the 2022 campaign after officially opening camp on Aug. 2.
2021 All-Ohio Valley Conference Second-Team and All-Newcomer Team Selection,
Elizabeth Rater, put the Redhawks on the board with a goal in the 83rd minute.
Rater, a sophomore midfielder from Mequon, Wisconsin, led SEMO this past season with three goals and was second on the team with six points (3g). In conference play, she paced the Redhawks with two goals and four points in eight games.
Amy Andrews then evened the contest at 1-1 Sunday with a strike at 87:13. Kayla Turner was credited with the assist for WIU.
Andrews, a 2021 All-Summit League Second Team performer, registered a game-high four shots (3 SOG) in 82 minutes on the pitch.
SEMO outshot the Leathernecks, 9-5 (4-3 SOG), including a dominating first half advantage of 6-2.
Five freshmen started for the Redhawks in goalkeeper
Sophia Elfrink, defenders
Macie Hockett and
Alayna Jakul, midfielder
Zoe Houston, and forward
Cayla Koerner.
Emma Brune,
Faith Liljegren,
Kiana Khedoo,
Morgan McCourt,
Maddie Paulson, and
Natalie Jackson rounded out the SEMO starting 11.
Koerner, a Mahomet, Illinois, native, paced the Redhawks with three shots including one on target in 62 minutes of playing time.
Josetiarainnah Olaco,
Megan Heisserer and Rater each had shots on goal in the contest.
Natalie Miller, Houston, and Liljegren also all registered shots Sunday.
Elfrink, a freshman goalkeeper from Columbia, Missouri, played the full 90 minutes in net, making a pair of saves.
WIU utilized a pair of goalkeepers in Isabel Navas Rodriguez (0 saves) and Myla Stewart (3 saves), with each playing a half.
Jackson, a senior defender from O'Fallon, Missouri, led all field players with a game-high 90 minutes on the pitch.
Rater was assessed a yellow card in the 86th minute.
SEMO opens its 24th season in program history, all under the instruction of head coach
Heather Nelson at Southeastern Conference (SEC) member Missouri on Thursday, Aug. 18 in Columbia, Missouri.
The Redhawks next host Central Arkansas on Sunday, Aug. 14 at Houck Field to conclude preseason play. First kick is set for 2 p.m., CT.
