Withers Scores Twice - Racers Move To 3-0 - Murray State University Athletics

Sunday, August 27

Mobile, Ala.

1 p.m.

Murray State

3-0

South Alabama

0-3

Murray St.

South Alabama

Photo by: Dave Winder-Murray State Athletics

Withers Scores Twice - Racers Move To 3-0

8/27/2017 6:40:00 PM | Women's Soccer

Box Score

The red hot boot of Harriet Withers was in full effect, as her two goals were enough to push Murray State (3-0) over South Alabama (0-3) for a 2-1 final score.

With two goals today and five overall, Withers now has 30 career goals as a Racer. Her current total is just four behind the 34 scored by Theresa Reedy (2001-04), the current all-time goal scorer for Murray State. "It's tremendous to see how she's developed, you could tell in her first year she had potential." Said head coach Jeremy Groves in regards to Withers getting closer to the all-time scoring mark.

It wasn't the best start for the Racers, who let up 10 shots in the first frame of action against a Jaguars squad looking for their first win of the year. The first and only goal scored by South Alabama came 15 minutes in, as a foul in the box led to a successful penalty kick, giving the Jaguars an early lead.

"It was the old cliche of the tale of two halves. We struggled in the first half. It was our second game this week and South Alabama hadn't played in a week. We tried to sit back a little bit. At halftime we made some adjustments and I thought in the second half we deserved the victory."

A defensive miscue at the 35^th gave the Racers hope, as a bad throw in allowed Withers time to collect the ball and power it through the top left corner to tie the match 1-1.
Using the momentum they gained in the first half, the Racers exploded for eight shots in the second half. They also locked down the defensive zone, limiting the Jaguars to two shots, one was blocked and the other an easy save.

"We figured some stuff out at halftime, how we wanted to step up and put more pressure on the ball. And in regards to our defenders, we wanted them to contest every ball put to the Jaguar forwards."

It was once again an error by South Alabama that led to a Racer goal. An errant pass in the midfield was picked off by Withers who ran down the right side of the field, ripping a hard shot on the ground to beat the keeper, making it a 2-1 game for the Racers at the 67^th minute.

Alex Steigerwald made a season high four saves as she picked up her third win of the season.

"They got to the end line once and another shot got blocked. Other than those, all their shots were from distance. I was very happy how we defended especially in the second half" remarked coach Groves

Murray State is back on the road, as their next game sees them travel to Highland Heights, KY. for a battle against Northern Kentucky on September 3 at 1 PM.