Racers Blank Eastern Illinois 3-0 Behind First Half Scoring Surge

Friday, October 21

Cutchin Field

3 p.m.

Murray State

5-7-3 (2-2-2)

Eastern Illinois

5-9-2 (4-3)

Team	1	2	Final F
Eastern Illinois	0	0	0
Murray State	3	0	3

Photo by: Murray State Sports Information

Racers Blank Eastern Illinois 3-0 Behind First Half Scoring Surge

10/21/2011 6:48:00 PM | Women's Soccer

Box Score

Murray State soccer took big step towards qualifying for the 2011 OVC Championships Friday afternoon, knocking off Eastern Illinois with three first-half goals in a 3-0 victory at Cutchin Field. The win moved the Racers up to fifth in the standings of teams that are eligible for this year's Championship.

MSU improved to 2-2-2 in Ohio Valley Conference play (5-7-3 overall), winning its first conference match at home this season to jump ahead of idle Jacksonville State, Tennessee Tech and Morehead State in the standings.

Senior Sophie Hargreaves started the scoring for the Racers early in the game, putting in a loose ball on a strong strike to the right side of the net past the Eastern Illinois (5-9-2, 4-3) goalkeeper in the fourth minute of the match. The goal at 3:15 was her third of the season.

Sophomore Shauna Wicker added her seventh goal of the season 16 minutes later to double the MSU lead, scoring on an impressive diving header near the ground from the center of the box on a low cross from Veronika Pribyslavska.

Freshman Julie Mooney also scored her seventh goal of the season, taking a pass from the middle of the field from Jillian Russell to dribble down the middle-left portion of the EIU defensive zone. She was able to fight off the Panthers' defense before letting off a line drive goal with 34:45 on the clock.

The Racers dominated play on the afternoon, dictating the pace of play for the majority of the game. MSU held a 19-9 shot advantage, including a wide 11-3 margin in the first half, and placed 12 shots on goal to EIU's two.

Murray State goalkeeper Yi Du earned her second consecutive shutout in the win, her third of the season. She was forced into duty early in the game to protect the Racers 1-0 lead, tipping a ball over the woodwork that was shot from 30 yards out that was heading for just under the crossbar.

The Racers will close out the home portion of their schedule Sunday afternoon, hosting SIU Edwardsville at 1 p.m. on Senior Day. MSU will be thanking seniors Maja Nordahl, Sohpie Hargreaves, Ashley Green and Danielle McMurray for their contributions.