Murray State University Athletics
Murray State
Missouri-Kansas City
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Dirkes Late Goal Leads to Racers Victory
9/13/2009 7:45:00 PM | Women's Soccer
The Murray State Women's Soccer team improved to 2-3 overall this afternoon after defeating UMKC, 3-2, in the final day of the PUMA Skyhawk Invitational at Skyhawk Field in Martin, Tenn.
Despite holding a 28-4 advantage in shots, the Racers were in a tough battle all day with UMKC. The Kangaroos jumped out to an early lead today as Alyssa D'Egidio put the Kangaroos up, 1-0, after scoring her first goal of the season in the 27th minute. The Racers answered right back as Nicole Evans netted her second goal of the season just a minute later in the 28th minute. Rachel Wright tallied her first of two assists on the day as she slid the ball over to Evans.
The Racers outshot UMKC 11-1 during the first half, but headed into halftime tied 1-1 with the Kangaroos.
An early penalty kick conversion in the 48th minute gave the Kangaroos a 2-1 advantage to start the second half. The Racers tied things up in the 70th minute when Wright recorded her second assist of the game as she dumped the ball off to Katie Wilson who ripped a shot from 20 yards out for her second goal of the season.
Laken Dirkes scored the eventual game-winning goal from point blank range off a short cross from Danielle McMurray in the 86th minute of play to give the Racers the 3-2 lead, which they would not relinquish.
Katie Walsh improved to 2-0 in goal for the Racers this season as she allowed two goals in 90 minutes of play.
Sophie Hargreaves and Danielle McMurray were named to the PUMA Skyhawk Invitational All-Tournament team for the Racers.
The Racers will travel to Flagstaff, Arizona to take on Northern Arizona, Friday, Sept. 18, at 9 p.m.
