Murray State University Athletics
Racer Soccer Has Must-Win Match With UT-Martin
10/19/2006 5:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
The Murray State Women's Soccer team plays its final regular season Ohio Valley Conference game Saturday and the stakes couldn't be higher. The Racers, who host Tennessee-Martin at
OVC Post-Season Tournament.
The game is also the regular season league final for the Skyhawks who currently hold the sixth position (9 points). The Racers are in seventh place (8 points) and JSU is in eighth place (7 points). The OVC scoring set up gives three points to a team that wins a match, and if there is a tie, each team receives one point. JSU has two home matches left in the season; Friday against
If the Racers win, they would leap past UTM and hope JSU doesn't overtake them. If a tie results between the Racers and Gamecocks, JSU will be awarded the final tournament spot because they defeated MSU last Friday.
If JSU and UTM end in a tie, the Skyhawks hold the advantage in the tiebreaker after their defeat of JSU.
In effect, Saturday's match with the Skyhawks is a playoff game and MSU Head Coach Beth Acreman and team are very aware of how much is riding on the outcome.
"I am really excited about Saturday's game. The pressure is on but I am confident that we will respond appropriately.” Acreman said. “I know my players are ready for a battle".
Saturday's match also means it's "Fill The Hill" Day at Cutchin Field. The "Hill" is the grassy sloped area on the sideline opposite of the team benches at the Racers home field. It's the best place to watch the game at
Cutchin Field.
The MSU student organization that has the most people attend the game will be given a signed Murray State Soccer jersey. Also there will be free pizza and soft drinks for the first 100 students in attendance.
"I know the game will be tough but I am hoping with the support created by Fill the Hill day, we can push our way past UTM.” Acreman said. “Having a lot of people behind us on our home field will be a great help"
The Racers lead the OVC with 248 shots, an average of 15.5 per game. MSU also ranks second in the league with 29 goals even with only two goals in the last four matches. MSU sophomore Rebekah Clay is tied for the OVC lead with nine goals and she ranks first with 22 points on nine goals and two assists.
“We've had trouble finding the back of the net this season,” Acreman said. “I'm happy that we have been having a lot of quality chances.”
"I feel we played our best game against Samford last weekend and even though we didn't win, I think we are peaking at the right time,” Acreman added. “It won't be easy but we are preparing hard this week to get ready for the match up."
After the UTM match Saturday, The Racers have senior day Oct. 28 when they host Oklahoma State at Cutchin Field at 11 a.m. Depending on how the UTM match comes out, the Racers would then be preparing to play in the OVC Tournament.
