Racers to Host SIUE in OVC Opener

Date: Sept. 22, 2019 – 1:00 p.m.
Site (Venue): Murray, Ky. (Cutchin Field)
Live Stream: https://es.pn/2kViTbY
Live Stats: http://bit.ly/2msQ9YF
MSU Record (Streak): 3-5 (Lost 1)
SIUE Record (Streak): 2-3-2 (Tied 1)
Racers All-Time vs. SIUE: 3-8-1
MSU Next Game: Sept. 27, 2019 vs. UT Martin
MSU Next Home Game: Same

Murray State women's soccer will open their Ohio Valley Conference schedule at home on Sunday afternoon, hosting the Cougars of SIUE at Cutchin Field. Racer fans can stream the match on ESPN+ - kickoff is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. in Murray, Kentucky.

Last Time Out:
Despite allowing just one shot on goal, the Racers came up short in a hard-fought battle to Missouri State in their last time out, falling to the Bears 1-0 in Springfield, Missouri on Sunday. Miyah Watford led the Racers with four shots on the day.

Entering Sunday:
The Racers are set to kick off the Ohio Valley Conference schedule after turning in a 3-5 record against non-conference opponents to begin 2019. The grueling non-conference slate included opponents from the Big East, Big Ten, and a pair from the SEC as the Racers competed in one of the most challenging non-conference schedules in program history. The Racers notched victories against Indiana, Samford, and Arkansas State, while four of their five defeats have come by just a single goal.

The 2019 OVC preseason favorites are averaging two goals per game, and have produced a trio of three-goal performances through their first eight matches of the season. Leading the way offensively is senior Miyah Watford, who has recorded a team-high 18 points with eight goals and two assists thus far. She is the reigning OVC Offensive Player of the Week, having earned the honor for the second time this season after she moved into fourth on the all-time Murray State scoring list thanks to her third brace of the season that came in last week's 3-1 victory over Arkansas State.

Scouting SIUE:
The Cougars enter Sunday's competition at 2-3-2 overall after opening their OVC schedule by fighting to a 2-2 tie against Austin Peay on the road in Clarksville. SIUE has played in their fair share of close matches in the young season, as four of their seven matches have gone into overtime.

SIUE was selected to finish fourth in the 2019 OVC Preseason Poll after a 2018 season that saw them finish 6-9-2 overall, before exiting in the second round at the OVC Tournament. The Cougars, who are averaging 1.86 goals per contest, are led by sophomore Mackenzie Litzinger's team-high five goals on the season.

All-Time Series:
Sunday's clash between Murray State and SIUE will mark the 13^th all-time meeting between the two sides, with the Cougars holding the all-time series at 8-3-1. The most recent meeting came on September 23, 2018 in a game that saw SIUE escape with a 2-1 victory on their home turf in Edwardsville.

Weather Forecast:
A partly cloudy 89 degrees is expected at kickoff in Murray, Kentucky on Sunday. A windy day is expected, with gusts reaching between 13-15 miles per hour to the south/southwest. Chance of rain: 0%

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Players Mentioned

Miyah Watford

Murray State University Athletics