Murray State University Athletics
Murray State
Eastern Kentucky University
Racers Make It Two In A Row, Four 2nd Half Goals Lead MSU To Win Over EKU In First Soccer Meeting
10/2/2005 5:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
Murray State controlled the ball for most of the first period but the Eastern Kentucky defense was strong around the goal. The Colonels took control over the final 10 minutes of the opening period but the game remained tied 0-0 at the break.
Five of MSU's six first period shots were on goal, but Eastern goalkeeper Christina Graul saved all five. The Colonels attempted three first half shots, with two of those, both of which were on-goal, coming in the final 10 minutes before intermission.
"The first half wasn't very good for us," said Murray State Head Coach Mike Minielli. "We came out without a lot of energy but the team responded well at halftime and really got after it in the second half."
The second half scoring explosion by the Racers began with three goals over a 15 minute span. The first came two minutes and 20 seconds into the second period off the foot of senior Lisa Pfeiffer. After an EKU foul, Jen Peios took the kick on the left side, 10 yards off the center line, and hit a streaking Pfeiffer in the box on the right side. Pfeiffer's shot beat Graul to the left corner.
Freshman Rebekah Clay scored twice in less than five minutes to extend the home team's advantage to 3-0. Both goals were nearly identical. On both, the Bloomington, Ill., native took a pass on the right side and sent her shot into the left corner. The first came at the 57:40 mark and the second at 62:21. The goals were Clay's second and third of the 2005 season.
Fellow freshman Melisa Curry capped the scoring when she took a pass from Christie Arnett in the 87th minute and shot over top of the EKU keeper from dead center.
"Murray State did an excellent job finding gaps in our defense in the second half and finishing the chances they had," Colonel Head Coach Lindsay Basalyga said following the match. "We played pretty well, especially in the first half. Every game is a new experience for our program."
The Racers out-shot Eastern Kentucky 9-1 in the second period, including seven shots on-goal. Clay led all players with five shots while Alison Gajus attempted a team high two shots for the Colonels.
Heather Jones posted her first shutout of the season, making three saves in 90 minutes of action. Graul saved eight shots but allowed four goals for EKU.
"We got four goals on one of the best keepers in the league," said Minielli. "We just have to keep building on this, we have to keep learning, our freshmen are really playing well."
The Racers will have four days off from game action until they hit the road for two weekend OVC games in Alabama. MSU will play Jacksonville State on Friday at 7:00 p.m., in Jacksonville, Ala. On Sunday the Racers will face two-time defending OVC regular season champion Samford at 2:00 p.m., in Birmingham, Ala.
