Four Score As Racers Rout JSU 4-0

Sunday, September 30

Cutchin Field

1 p.m.

Murray State

8-2-1, 4-1

Jacksonville State

3-7-2, 1-3

JSU

Murray State

Photo by: Dave Winder-Murray State Athletics

9/30/2018 6:24:00 PM | Women's Soccer

Box Score Box Score (PDF)

The Murray State soccer team saw four Racers score in Ohio Valley Conference action en route to a 4-0 shutout victory Jacksonville State at Cutchin Field in Murray, Kentucky, Sunday.

The Racers (8-2-1, 4-1) jumped out to an early lead when Izzy Heckman sent a cross into the box, finding Symone Cooper for the score in the 14th minute.

Murray State continued to push the offensive attack throughout the first period, logging 12 shots with four shots on net, but was unable to find the back of the net for the remainder of the half. The Racers defense helped maintain the MSU 1-0 lead by holding the JSU offense to just two shots in the half.

"That's been the story of our season, just scoring early, then we have kind of taken a step back," said Murray State head coach Matt Lodge. "So at halftime, I told them, 'We can't take a step back. Let's take steps forward. Let's get two, let's get three [goals in the second half].' They rose to the occasion."

The Racers responded by scoring just nine minutes after the halftime intermission, as Miyah Watford connected with Abby Jones at the 54:17 mark. The crafty Jones managed to weave her way through Jacksonville State defenders and to challenge the Gamecocks goalkeeper one-on-one before sending her shot into an open net for the MSU 2-0 lead.

MSU showed no sign of slowing down their offensive attack as Elizabeth Tilton connected with her first goal of the season off an Abby Jones assist in the 67th minute. Miyah Watford added a goal of her own at 83:44 to seal the 4-0 victory for the Racers.

In her 55th career start for the blue and gold, senior goalkeeper Alex Steigerwald earned her fourth shutout of the year. With the Racers shutout, Steigerwald improved her career shutout total to 25, tying Tara Isbell's record for the most all-time MSU career shutouts.

The Racers are headed to back on the road to take on UT Martin, who currently boasts an undefeated OVC record this season, Friday (Oct. 5). MSU returns to the Volunteer State the following week to take on Austin Peay (Oct. 12) in the Battle of the Border before coming back to Cutchin Field to face Belmont (Oct. 14). The Racers will wrap up the regular-season in Murray, as they take on Morehead State (Oct. 19) and Eastern Kentucky (Oct. 21) ahead of the OVC Tournament.