Bodker Nets Game-Winner In Senior Day Victory

Sunday, October 20

Murray, Ky.

1 p.m.

Murray State

5-7-4, 1-4-3

Valparaiso

4-11-1, 0-7-1

Valparaiso

Murray St.

Photo by: Dave Winder-Murray State Athletics

10/20/2024 6:46:00 PM | Women's Soccer

Box Score Box Score (PDF)

Head Coach Matt Lodge earns his 60th career coaching win at the helm of the Murray State women’s soccer program.

By: Drew Parsley

The Racers defeated the Valparaiso Beacons in comeback fashion by a score of 2-1 Sunday afternoon at Cutchin Field. With Sunday's victory, head coach Matt Lodge earned his 60th win to tie Beth Acreman for the most coaching wins in program history.

Murray State faced an early deficit after Valpo put themselves on the board first with a goal in just the second minute of the match. The Racers would continue pressing on the defensive end, holding the Beacons to just four shots for the remaining 43 minutes of the half.

After the Racers were kept out of goal through the first half, Sydney Etter scored her fourth goal of the year in the 50th minute to equalize the contest on Hannah Carter's first career assist.

Just under 17 minutes later, Morgan Bodker served a header into the top left corner of the net for her third career game-winner on a corner service from Mackenzie Tucker, securing her Senior Day victory.

With 90 minutes played today, Bodker moves to second all-time in career minutes played, passing Saraya Young who ended her career with 6,767 minutes. Bodker now has 6,796 career minutes played and is just 40 minutes away from breaking the program record, currently held by Izzy Heckman who played 6,835 career minutes.

With her 75th career start, Bodker also moves into sole possession of the fifth-most career starts in Racers soccer history. The Sunbury, Ohio native is two starts from tying Rebekah Clay for fourth on the all-time list.

In the first half, second half and full match, the Racers tripled the Beacons in shots. Through the first 45 minutes, MSU took 15 shots to Valpo's five followed by the Racers nine second-half shots to the Beacons' three, with the Racers outshooting their opponent 24-8 for the day. Murray State also earned eight corner pieces to Valpo's two.

Etter took a game-high seven shots with three on frame, with six other Racers taking at least two shots on the afternoon. MSU only allowed one player for Valpo to take multiple shots.

The Racers took at least 20 team shots for the fourth time this season, while also putting at least 10 shots on target for the fourth time as well.

After concluding play on their home pitch, the Racers close out the 2024 regular season with a two-match road trip at Northern Iowa and Drake. Kick off with the Panthers is set for Thursday, October 24 at 3 p.m. CT, and the regular season finale with the Bulldogs kicks off on Sunday, October 27 at 12 p.m. CT.

Head Coach Matt Lodge on his team's performance after earning their first conference win:
"I thought it was very similar to the ones we've had all conference play. I thought we dominated from start to finish. Unfortunate to find ourselves behind, but something we did today that we couldn't in previous games is find a way to win. [I'm] really proud of the effort. I thought so many people gave everything today. I'm glad we could send our only senior, Mo, out on not only a win but to score the game-winner. When you're in the drought that we're in right now, it was always just going to be a gutsy performance to get us over the line, and I think we did just that."

Head Coach Matt Lodge on Morgan Bodker's career as a Racer:
"I'd have to go back and see, but I bet those games she didn't finish was probably because she had to come off for a nosebleed or a headache or some sort of injury because she is just an absolute beast for us on the back line. [She is] just a true leader in every sense, on and off the field. Fantastic human being—I'm so happy that it was her that scored the winner today. We're not done yet. Hopefully she's got a couple more goals for us next week and we can find our way in to the tournament, where I think we can do some damage. But, we have to take care of two very good teams in Iowa next week."

Head Coach Matt Lodge on his approach going into the final two matches of the regular season with hopes of making the Missouri Valley Conference tournament:
"Do or die. We win—we hold it in our hands. If we can win both games, we'll find ourselves in. If we don't take care of business—as long as we go down swinging and with a fight. I believe we belong in the tournament, but nothing matters apart from results. We have to do what we did today, and that's find a way."

For more information on the Murray State women's soccer program, visit GoRacers.com or follow @RacersSoccer on X and Instagram.