Racers Blank WKU 1-0 In Season Opener

Friday, August 17

Cutchin Field

3 p.m.

Murray State

1-0

Western Kentucky

0-1

Western Kentucky

Murray State

8/17/2018 7:08:00 PM | Women's Soccer

Box Score Photo Gallery

The Murray State soccer team began their 2018 season strong with a 1-0 shutout victory over Western Kentucky Friday at Cutchin Field in Murray, Kentucky.

The Racers got on the scoreboard early when sophomore Kayla Travis found freshman Abby Jones in the 10th minute for the lone score of the contest. With the goal, MSU gained their first score of the season. Meanwhile, Jones earned her first collegiate start and goal Friday.

"It has always been my goal to start ever since I committed," said Murray State forward Abby Jones. "To be a big part of this team and to score is a huge honor and something I have worked towards."

The Racers seemed to control the offensive tempo throughout the match after taking a total of 18 shots, with nine being on net. The Lady Toppers managed to record nine shots of their own. Goalkeeper Alex Steigerwald had six saves during the contest to help earn herself a shutout victory.

Murray State's season opening win marks the first victory in the record books for rookie head coach Matt Lodge.

"I think the biggest thing – and I said this to the team early on – is that we need to show that Murray State [is not] taking steps backwards under my leadership," said an optimistic Lodge. "I want to show our conference that we aren't taking any steps backwards. We are going right ahead. We are moving forward. It's hard to say how good we will be with one friendly and this game today, but we have definitely got the talent and the depth"

The Racers will quickly return to action in a home matchup against Northern Kentucky (Aug. 19) on Sunday. The matchup against the Norse is at Cutchin Field and is slated for a 1 p.m. start.

Game Notes

While the Racers faced off against the Lady Toppers in an exhibition last season, this was the first regular season contest between the squads since 2008.

MSU now jumps to 2-4-0 record against WKU while improving their all-time win record at Cutchin Field to 90-58-13.

Alex Steigerwald earned her 45 career start in goal, and is now just 14 starts shy of tying Tara Isbell's Starts In Goal record.

With today's goal, Abby Jones scored the first goal of her MSU career.

Murray State will host the next two matchups at Cutchin Field with NKU (Aug. 19) and IUPUI (Aug. 24). The Racers will then travel to Oxford, Mississippi to take on Ole Miss (Aug 26.) before coming back home to face FAU (Aug. 31).