Women’s Soccer Nabs Season Opener at Evansville

Friday, August 23

Evansville, Ind.

6 p.m.

Murray State

1-0-0

Evansville

0-1-0

Murray State

Evansville

8/23/2013 9:12:00 PM | Women's Soccer

Box Score

| Box Score (PDF)

Senior Shauna Wicker's goal in the 42nd minute proved to be all the offense the Murray State women's soccer needed on Friday night as they took down host Evansville, 1-0, at Arad McCutchan Stadium in Evansville.

Wicker's goal came off of a set piece when she deflected Pavlina Nepokojova's corner kick into the net, to score the would be game-winner. While Wicker's goal did ultimately win the game for MSU, it was the goalkeeping performance of freshman Savannah Haberman (1-0) that allowed her to do so. Haberman recorded a clean sheet in her first-ever collegiate match and ended the full 90 minutes with four saves.

The Racers outshot the Purple Aces, 8-7, in the contest, despite each team placing four shots on goal. Murray State also overcame a significant disadvantage in fouls, getting whistled 16 times, compared to just seven against Evansville.

After the match, head coach Beth Acreman talked about the win. "I was very pleased with starting off with a successful game away from home," said Acreman. "We came out well from the whistle, which I was happy about. It was a good team effort. We still have things to develop, however I was proud of the determination we showed tonight. I am also very happy for Pavlina and Shauna for the goal."

It was the first win ever for Murray State at Evansville and just the second in the nine-match series. The win was also the first in a season opener by MSU since 2003 when they beat the team now known as Missouri State, 2-1 at Cutchin Field in Murray. It was also the first true away win in a season opener since the Racers won at IUPUI in 2000 in the program's first-ever match. MSU previously won a season opener on the road in 2002 when it topped Belmont, 6-1, at Southeast Missouri.

On Sunday, the Racers will travel to Highland Heights to take on in-state foe Northern Kentucky. Game time is set for 11 a.m. CDT.