Watford Scores Two As Racers Blank IUPUI 3-0

Friday, August 24

Cutchin Field

3 p.m.

Murray State

3-0

IUPUI

1-2

IUPUI

Murray State

Photo by: Dave Winder-Murray State Athletics

8/24/2018 8:05:00 PM | Women's Soccer

Box Score Photo Gallery LIVE VIDEO (Ole Miss)

The Murray State soccer team got off to an impressive start to a two-game weekend after defeating IUPUI 3-0 on Friday at Cutchin Field in Murray, Kentucky.

Murray State (3-0) took a 1-0 advantage over the Jaguars 17 minutes into the opening period following a goal from Miyah Watford off an assist by Reagan Pittenger. Watford proved to have the hot boot for the Racers, as she found the back of the net again in the 30th minute after Abby Jones' pass found her on the score.

MSU headed into the locker room at the half with a 2-0 lead after taking a total of 18 shots in the first half, while IUPUI recorded four shots during the period.

"I think the first two games we have had a combined 36-37 shots and we have only scored three goals," said Murray State head coach Matt Lodge. "My challenge this week was to be more clinical in front of goal. So they answered that. Miyah has got four goals in two games now, and you can't argue with that. I am really happy with our forwards right now. I have got to give a lot of credit to Ryan [Jones] our assistant coach. He has worked non-stop this week on finishing drills before and after practice, and it is paying off."

Coming out of the half, the Racers showed no signs of letting up offensively as a shifty Rebecca Kubin weaved her way through traffic to offer Abby Jones a touch pass that led to a score just five minutes into the period. The goal from Jones was Murray State's third goal and the final score of the contest.

MSU's offense managed to record 29 total shots, with 14 of those being on net. The Racers' defense was also had a dominant performance, holding IUPUI's offense to just 8 shots for the match. Goalkeeper Alex Steigerwald had four saves and earned her second shutout on the season.

"Defensively we were solid. [IUPUI] is a very good team, an attacking team, and our back three were fantastic. Joselle Morche has worked incredibly hard. Karsyn Hasch and Cori Cain have really kept on her and talked to her, and she is rising to the occasion. Today she was magnificent. There was one play where she sprinted to make a play 50 yards ahead of her to make a header that was kind of out of Alex [Steigerwald]'s six-yard box," said Lodge.

Following Sunday's match at Ole Miss, MSU will travel back to Murray for their final match in the month of August against FAU. The Racers will then it the road for a five-game stretch, as they take on Chattanooga (Sept. 7), Southeast Missouri (Sept. 13), and Georgia (Sept. 16) before rounding out the extended road trip in Illinois to take on conference foes Eastern Illinois (Sept. 21) and SIUE (Sept. 23).

Game Notes
With the win, Murray State takes the series advantage over the Jaguars with a 5-4-0 all-time record.

The Jones-Watford connection has struck again. Miyah Watford and Abby Jones have collectively accounted for each of MSU's six scores on the year.

Murray State and Ole Miss will meet again for the first time since the opening round of the 2015 NCAA Tournament, which the Rebels won 1-0 at Ole Miss Soccer Stadium.