Racers Draw With UIC In Missouri Valley Conference Home Opener

Thursday, September 26

Murray, Ky.

3 p.m.

Murray State

4-3-3, 0-0-2

UIC

2-7-1, 1-0-1

UIC

Murray St.

Photo by: Kris Fister/Murray State University

Racers Draw With UIC In Missouri Valley Conference Home Opener

9/26/2024 7:11:00 PM | Women's Soccer

Box Score Box Score (PDF)

Senior Morgan Bodker scored her third goal of the season in Thursday’s contest.

By: Drew Parsley

The Racers saw a 1-1 draw with the UIC Flames in their Missouri Valley Conference home opener on Thursday at Cutchin Field in Murray, Kentucky. Murray State's 24 shots as a team tied a season high that was previously set against UT Martin on September 1.

Despite a scoreless first 45 minutes, the Racers made a strong push on the attacking end by putting five of their 10 first-half shots in frame. Freshman Breece Bass placed two of her three shots in the first half on frame.

After a full hour without a goal, Bass drew a foul in the box to earn Murray State a penalty kick. Senior Morgan Bodker then fired a penalty to the top right corner to give the Racers the lead with just under 30 minutes left in the match. It was her third goal of the season and second penalty goal on as many attempts.

Just under six minutes later, the Flames countered on a misplayed goal kick and equalized on a shot taken from just outside the 18-yard box.

MSU doubled UIC in shots Thursday afternoon, and nearly doubled their shots on goal with 11 to the Flames' six. The Racers' 11 shots on goal was the second-highest total recorded this season.

Bass took a game-high six shots with three in frame, and junior Mary Hardy placed three of her four shots on goal. Bodker, along with Reagan Tate, Kate Stordy and Sami Wilson, saw the pitch for a full 90 minutes.

Murray State travels to Carbondale, Illinois to face the Southern Illinois Salukis in their next MVC match on Sunday, September 29 at 1 p.m. CT.

Head Coach Matt Lodge on his team's performance:
"I thought we played very well. I think we produced a lot—we were really unfortunate in front of goal. Gifted them a goal, but I thought we created enough to really finish them off. Second off, I thought we dominated completely [from] start to finish. First off, I think they dominated the first 10 minutes and then we reacted really well to that. But again, UIC are a very good team. They're a top-four team in our conference, they'll be right up there. I thought we competed well. We showed we can beat up on some teams, too. I thought it was a very physical game, but that's why I love this league. I'd be concerned if a conference game was not physical or passionate. Passionate for both boxes, coaches [and] players. I thought both teams did a good job."

Head Coach Matt Lodge on his team's mindset after scoring their first goal in conference play:
"I think we've got a little bit of a chip on our shoulder where we want to get this first conference win of the season under our belt. And I think once we get that, we'll be in a good spot. But I think—unbeaten in [the last] three games, if you take the last non-conference game. We've got to ride those positives. Only conceded one [goal] in the last three games. Defensively, today I thought we were solid. I thought we defended a lot of corners very well. But, we've just got to make some better decisions. Again, I think we played very well, just one mistake cost us two points today."

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