CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. – Southeast Missouri Women's Soccer (0-4-0) fell to Missouri State (2-2-1), 3-0, at Houck Stadium on Thursday evening.
The first half saw Southeast Missouri State and the Bears locked in a competitive match, with the visitors taking an early lead. Emma Shields scored the lone goal of the half in the 29th minute, assisted by Reilly Heman.
The Redhawks' defense was active in the first half, with goalkeeper
Cayla Koerner making key saves, including stopping shots from Abby Hansen and Jane Hansen. SEMO recorded first half shots from
Justi Nelson,
Zerina Markovic, and
Maya Domian but the half ended with the Bears leading 1-0. For Koerner, the start in net was the first of her Redhawks career.
The second half began with MSU extending their lead with two quick goals, one by Heman in the 50th minute, assisted by Julia Kristensen, and another by Brooke Cattoor a minute later, bringing the score to 3-0.
SEMO attempted to respond, with Domian's shot on goal at 51 minutes being saved by the Bears' goalkeeper Becker.
Despite several attempts, including a shot by
Emily Baker at the 59th minute and
Alyssa Schulte at the 82nd minute, the Redhawks could not find the back of the net.
Markovic led SEMO in shots on Thursday night, recording one shot on goal. Domian also contributed with two shots, both on target, matching the team's highest shots on goal. Nelson added to the offensive effort with one shot on goal. In goal, Koerner played the full 90 minutes, making four saves on 16 shots faced.
Looking ahead, SEMO Soccer will host North Alabama on Sunday, August 31. The match is set to kick off at 1 p.m. at Houck Field in Cape Girardeau.
