Murray State University Athletics
Murray State
Belmont
Racers Set for Friday Clash with Belmont
3/11/2021 9:20:00 PM | Women's Soccer
Murray State hosts the Bruins in a rematch of last year's OVC Tournament Semifinal
Date: March 12, 2021 – 1 PM
Site (Venue): Murray, Ky. (Cutchin Field)
Live Stream: ESPN+
Live Coverage Links: goracers.com/coverage
Murray State Record (Streak): 3-0 (Won 3)
Belmont Record (Streak): 1-2 (Lost 2)
Racers All-Time vs. Belmont: 6-6
MSU Next Game: March 16th vs, Austin Peay
Murray State women's soccer (3-0) will look to stay perfect when they return home on Friday to host Belmont (1-2) in the fourth of a ten-game conference-only slate for the 2020-21 campaign. The match will be streamed on ESPN+, with live stats coverage available on goracers.com. Kickoff is slated for 1:00 p.m. at Cutchin Field in Murray, Ky.
All-Time Series:
Friday's contest will mark the 13th meeting between Murray State and Belmont, with the all-time series even at six wins apiece entering this year's competition. The Racers have earned victories in five of the last six meetings, but Murray State will be out for revenge after the Bruins pulled a 2-1 upset in the OVC Tournament Semifinal a season ago in the most recent clash.
A Look at the Racers:
The Racer attack is clicking on all cylinders in the new campaign, with eight goals through their first three matches. Six different players have now found the net for Murray State, with Rebecca Kubin and Chloe Barnthouse leading the way five total points on two goals and an assist for each of them thus far.
Lauren Payne (74') and Lilly Strader (98') put their names on the score sheet the last time out as the Racers completed the comeback effort to secure a 2-1 overtime victory on the road over UT Martin on Tuesday. Additionally, Strader currently leads the OVC with 4.67 shots per game.
The Racers have also seen six unique individuals collect an assist on the year.
Scouting Belmont:
After an overtime victory in their season opener against Jacksonville State, the Bruins' offense has come to a screeching halt – failing to score in each of their last two outings as they suffered 1-0 losses to UT Martin and Southeast Missouri. The reigning OVC Tournament Champions are led by Keely Cartrett and Avery Nowak, who have been responsible for the two Belmont goals on the year. The Bruins have managed just six shots on goal through three matches, but the defense has been solid – allowing just one goal in each of the first three showings.
Sophomore goalkeeper Sarah Doyle is second in the OVC with 19 saves on the year.
Notes:
· With an assist on the game-winning goal against UT Martin on Tuesday, Abby Jones became Murray State's all-time leader in assists as the junior from Powell, Ohio recorded the 22nd of her career, passing Rebekah Clay (2005-2008) for the most in program history.
· Rebecca Kubin's goal against Eastern Kentucky moved her up a spot on Murray State's all-time scoring list as her 24 career goals is now tied with Rebekah Clay (2005-08) for sixth in program history. She now chases Jackie Thomas' (2000-2003) 25 that currently sits at the #5 spot in program history
· Dating back to last season, the Racers have scored a goal in eight-straight matches.
· The Racers also enter Friday's match on a six-game home OVC winning streak that dates back to the 2018 season. The last defeat at Cutchin Field came on October 21, 2018 in a 1-0 contest against Eastern Kentucky.
· Now in his third season at the helm of the Racer soccer program, head coach Matt Lodge earned career victory #25 in last week's 3-1 win over Morehead State.
