Kubin and Hall Score as Racers Best EIU 2-1

Friday, September 21

Charleston, Ill.

12 p.m.

Murray State

6-1-1, 2-0OVC

Eastern Illinois

2-5-3, 1-1-1OVC

Murray State

Eastern Illinois

Photo by: Dave Winder-Murray State Athletics

9/21/2018 3:41:00 PM | Women's Soccer

Box Score Box Score (PDF)

The Murray State soccer team secured a 2-1 win over Eastern Illinois at Lakeside Field in Charleston, Illinois on Friday.

The Racers (6-1-1, 2-0) were tested early by the Panthers, as EIU scored just four minutes into the opening period. EIU's lone score came when Lexi Ketterhagen sent a cross into the box via corner kick and found Kate Olson, who headed the ball past a charging Alex Steigerwald for the score.

Murray State responded with a goal of their own just ten minutes later, as Karsyn Hasch found a swift Rebecca Kubin in stride for the equalizer, tying the game at 1-all.

The Racers had another excellent scoring chance at 26:54 mark when MSU was awarded a penalty kick inside the box. Kubin's conversion attempt was unsuccessful, as her shot missed the right corner of the goal sailed wide right.

MSU and EIU went into the halftime break tied 1-1, with Murray State leading with 14 shots compared to three by Eastern Illinois.

"We played well in the first half and we were a little unfortunate to not be up at half time,"
said MSU head coach Matt Lodge. "It's always tough picking up points on the road in conference."

Eastern Illinois looked to take the lead after being awarded a penalty kick of their own in the 62nd minute. For the second time in the match, however, the free shot opportunity was missed. Kate Olson tried to sneak a shot by Steigerwald in the lower left corner, but the senior goalkeeper made a diving save to keep the score even.

The game-winning goal came as Arianna Mendez took the corner and sent a well-placed ball into the box allowing freshman Marley Hall to make a play. Hall took advantage of her positioning, and place the ball in the upper left corner of the net, marking the first goal her MSU career while giving the Racers a 2-1 lead over the Panthers.

"There were some good individual performances today. Credit to our girls for coming back and seeing the game out. Alex came up big with the penalty save and Marley scored a great goal to win us the game. Far from our best performance, but we got the job done and we now recover and prepare for Sunday," remarked Lodge.

With the win, the Racers improve to 2-0 in Ohio Valley Conference play heading into Sunday's OVC matchup at SIUE in Edwardsville, Illinois set for a 1 p.m. kick.