Murray State University Athletics
Murray State
Eastern Kentucky
Soccer Starts Conference Play at Eastern Kentucky and Morehead State
9/23/2010 4:49:40 PM | Women's Soccer
The Murray State women's soccer team opens 2010 Ohio Valley Conference action this weekend with a pair or road contests at Eastern Kentucky Friday at 3:00 p.m. and at Morehead State Sunday at noon.
The Racers (1-7-2) dropped both home matches last weekend, falling 3-1 to Louisiana Tech and 6-1 against Western Michigan. Freshman Shauna Wicker scored her first collegiate goal on a header from a corner kick to pull MSU equal with La Tech and added her second goal two days later on the same play against Western Michigan.
Murray State was selected in pre-season voting by league coached to finish first in the OVC this season after winning the OVC Tournament in 2009 and the OVC regular season in 2008. After a slow start to begin the season, head coach Beth Acreman knows her team will need to rely on hard work this weekend to achieve positive results.
“We're preparing for two tough games this weekend,” Acreman said. “We have to get mentally and physically prepared for the OVC season. The players are excited for the start of conference play and know we must work hard together against two quality teams.
The Racers were undefeated in 2009 against Eastern Kentucky (3-4-2), posting a 0-0 draw in the regular season before scoring a 1-0 win in the first round of the OVC Tournament on an 86th minute strike by Ashley Fraser.
EKU has won two straight coming into this weekend, having defeated Presbyterian College 4-0 before holding off Detroit in a 2-1 victory. The Colonels had not won in their five previous matches, losing three and tying two. MSU is undefeated all-time against Eastern Kentucky, holding a 4-0-2 advantage.
Morehead State (3-6) split its previous two games, knocking off South Alabama 2-1 and losing to Ohio 4-2. The Eagles boast OVC leading goal-scorer as forward Erin Adams has scored six times in nine games.
The Racers and Eagles played to a scoreless draw last season in the lone meeting between the two schools. Murray State holds an all-time 6-5 series advantage.
MSU returns to Cutchin Field Oct. 1 for a 3:00 p.m. match against Jacksonville State. The Racers close out weekend play on Oct. 3 at 1:00 p.m. against Austin Peay.
