Murray State University Athletics
Friday, August 10
Cutchin Field
2 p.m.
Murray State
vs
Samford (Exh.)
Players Mentioned
D
/ Women's Soccer
F
/ Women's Soccer
GK
/ Women's Soccer
F
/ Women's Soccer
Photo by: Dave Winder-Murray State Athletics
Rookie Coach Matt Lodge Leads Racer Soccer Into 2018 Season
8/9/2018 3:00:00 PM | Women's Soccer
Murray State Racers Soccer kicks off the 2018 season on Friday when they host the Samford Bulldogs in an exhibition match at Cutchin Field. The matchup will begin at 2Â p.m.
                                                                                                                          Â
Murray State, who has won three consecutive Ohio Valley Conference regular-season championships, was selected first in the 2018 OVC Women's Soccer preseason poll (Aug. 7). The preseason honor marked the third straight year the Racers have been named OVC preseason favorites.
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The Racers will follow the leadership of a new head coach following the departure of 2017 OVC Coach of the Year Jeremy Groves in January. Promoted from assistant Matt Lodge is ready to take the reins of the Racers for the 2018 season. Although Lodge will make his head coaching debut Friday, he is no rookie when it comes to Murray State soccer. Lodge served as an assistant coach for MSU the previous four seasons and contributed to the Racers' success in achieving a remarkable 50-21-6 overall record, 32-3-5 OVC record, and 31-game regular-season conference win streak over that span. Additionally, Lodge is responsible for constructing Murray State's dominant offense that led to 122 goals during his four seasons.Â
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The Racers return four 2017 All-OVC honorees. Described last season by former head coach Jeremy Groves as MSU's "spark," Miyah Watford looks to bring continued energy to the Racers offense after earning All-OVC Newcomer team honors as well as being named Most Valuable Player of the 2017 OVC Tournament. Rebecca Kubin provides another source of renewable energy for the Murray State offense. Kubin earned All-OVC Freshman of the Year, All-OVC Newcomer Team, and All-OVC Second Team honors after making quite the impression on the league last season. She finished fifth in the OVC in goals with seven and sixth in overall points with 17. Defensively, senior goalkeeper Alex Steigerwald returns for the Racers alongside 2017 All-OVC First Team honoree Karsyn Hasch. Steigerwald boasted an OVC best ten shutouts and ranked second in the league in goals-against-average (0.66) and saves percentage (.890) in 2017.
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The 2018 season marks the 19th season for the Murray State Women's Soccer program. The Racers have an all-time record of 157-154-36 and 82-53-17 record in OVC competition.
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There is no place like home for the Racers this August, as Cutchin Field will host the Racers for five out of six total contests during the month. MSU embarks on a four-game home stretch with Friday's Exhibition. Meanwhile, the Racers' regular-season opener takes place against Western Kentucky (Aug. 17) which is quickly followed by a matchup against Northern Kentucky (Aug. 19). MSU will host IUPUI (Aug. 24) to wrap up the extended four-game homestand before heading to Oxford, Mississippi to take on Ole Miss (Aug. 26). Â The Racers will not be too homesick as they will travel back to Murray to play their final match of the month at Cutchin Field against FAU (Aug. 31).Â
                                                                                                                          Â
Murray State, who has won three consecutive Ohio Valley Conference regular-season championships, was selected first in the 2018 OVC Women's Soccer preseason poll (Aug. 7). The preseason honor marked the third straight year the Racers have been named OVC preseason favorites.
Â
The Racers will follow the leadership of a new head coach following the departure of 2017 OVC Coach of the Year Jeremy Groves in January. Promoted from assistant Matt Lodge is ready to take the reins of the Racers for the 2018 season. Although Lodge will make his head coaching debut Friday, he is no rookie when it comes to Murray State soccer. Lodge served as an assistant coach for MSU the previous four seasons and contributed to the Racers' success in achieving a remarkable 50-21-6 overall record, 32-3-5 OVC record, and 31-game regular-season conference win streak over that span. Additionally, Lodge is responsible for constructing Murray State's dominant offense that led to 122 goals during his four seasons.Â
Â
The Racers return four 2017 All-OVC honorees. Described last season by former head coach Jeremy Groves as MSU's "spark," Miyah Watford looks to bring continued energy to the Racers offense after earning All-OVC Newcomer team honors as well as being named Most Valuable Player of the 2017 OVC Tournament. Rebecca Kubin provides another source of renewable energy for the Murray State offense. Kubin earned All-OVC Freshman of the Year, All-OVC Newcomer Team, and All-OVC Second Team honors after making quite the impression on the league last season. She finished fifth in the OVC in goals with seven and sixth in overall points with 17. Defensively, senior goalkeeper Alex Steigerwald returns for the Racers alongside 2017 All-OVC First Team honoree Karsyn Hasch. Steigerwald boasted an OVC best ten shutouts and ranked second in the league in goals-against-average (0.66) and saves percentage (.890) in 2017.
Â
The 2018 season marks the 19th season for the Murray State Women's Soccer program. The Racers have an all-time record of 157-154-36 and 82-53-17 record in OVC competition.
Â
There is no place like home for the Racers this August, as Cutchin Field will host the Racers for five out of six total contests during the month. MSU embarks on a four-game home stretch with Friday's Exhibition. Meanwhile, the Racers' regular-season opener takes place against Western Kentucky (Aug. 17) which is quickly followed by a matchup against Northern Kentucky (Aug. 19). MSU will host IUPUI (Aug. 24) to wrap up the extended four-game homestand before heading to Oxford, Mississippi to take on Ole Miss (Aug. 26). Â The Racers will not be too homesick as they will travel back to Murray to play their final match of the month at Cutchin Field against FAU (Aug. 31).Â
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