Story by Adam Redfern
Staff Writer
aredfern@murraystate.edu
Eastern Kentucky University became the first team in four years to beat Murray State at Cutchin Field in the regular season with a 1-0 win.
Freshman forward Abby Jones almost got the Racers on the scoreboard when she blasted a free kick off the crossbar early in the match.
“We started off really bright,” said Head Coach Matt Lodge. “It was one of the brighter starts we had for 10 to 15 minutes, and then we died off We had 15 corners to zero. We have to get something out of that.”
The Colonels scored the only goal of the day in the 36th minute when junior forward Erin Torrence first-timed a low cross from junior defender Rachele Manfre.
EKU only shot three times in the first half, with two on goal. Murray State forced freshman goalkeeper Zoe Aguirre to make one save for the Colonels in the first half.
In the second half, EKU played a more defensive style to hold its one-goal lead. Anytime the Racers passed half field, all 11 Colonels defended against the Murray State attack.
“I think they sat back,” Lodge said. “They sat on their 18 and let our defenders have it. They shut down some attacking options. Their centerbacks held our center forwards down well.”
Freshman defender Joselle Morche gave the Racers their second good look at the goal for the day in the 89th minute when she put a free kick on target. However, Aguirre made an impressive save to ensure the EKU lead stood.
After the loss, Murray State will head into the OVC tournament with the number two seed and look to repeat the result of last year’s tournament. The Racers will play the winner of Match 3, 4 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 2,