Story by Adam Redfern
Staff writer
aredfern@murraystate.edu
Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville handed the Murray State women’s soccer team its first OVC regular season loss since 2014.
“They always make it tough, they always scrap,” said Head Coach Matt Lodge. “They finished their chances when we didn’t clear them.”
The Racers took an early 1-0 lead when a cross from senior forward Miyah Watford found the head of sophomore midfielder Symone Cooper for her first goal of the season.
Cooper had another chance in the 24th minute, when senior forward Cori Cain placed a free kick inside of SIUE’s box. The Racers could not capitalize on this chance, leaving the game 1-0 at the half.
The Cougars pulled things level in the 69th minute with a goal from junior midfielder Becca Jostes with an assist from sophomore midfielder Allison Wendt to make the game 1-1.
SIUE was awarded a penalty kick in the 85th minute, but Jostes could not seize the lead when the shot flew wide off the post.
With the teams tied at 1-1 they headed into extra-time, where SIUE handled the ball for two minutes until a throw in from Wendt bounced around inside the box until it found sophomore midfielder Angel Ikeda for the win.
“It was a tough game, we have had four games on the road. I think it started to takes it toll a little bit,” Lodge said. “We had a lot of players play a lot of minutes, and we showed some tired legs today.”
The Racers are now 6-2-1 (2-1). They will look to bounce back against Tennessee Tech at 3 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 28, at Cutchin Field.