Story by Adam Redfern
Staff writer
aredfern@murraystate.edu
Murray State’s soccer team rallied behind a late goal from freshman Marly Hall to defeat Eastern Illinois University 2-1.
EIU jumped out to an early lead in the fourth minute when a cross from junior midfielder Lexi Ketterhagen was followed up by a header from senior midfielder Kate Olson. Senior goalkeeper Alex Steigerwald charged in for the save, but the ball still found the back of the net.
The Racers answered ten minutes later, with a goal of their own. Senior defender Karsyn Hatch gave a through ball to sophomore forward Rebecca Kubin tying the game at 1-1.
Murray State was awarded a penalty kick in the 27th minute, but Kubin’s shot was just wide of the goal. The teams went into the half all tied up at 1-1.
Eastern Illinois earned a penalty kick of their own in the 62nd minute. EIU’s Olson aimed her shot for the lower right corner, but Steigerwald deflected the ball just past the post.
In the 64th minute freshman midfielder Arianna Mendez took a corner that deflected off EIU’s keeper’s hands into the feet of freshman midfielder Marely Hall. Who found the side-netting for her first career goal. This gave the Racers a 2-1 victory..
The Racers are now 2-0 in OVC play. They will end their four-game road stretch with a match against SIUE at 1 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 23, in Edwardsville, Illinois.