Hardy Leads Second-Half Surge as Racers Top Evansville 3-2

Sunday, October 19

Murray, Ky.

2 p.m.

Murray State

7-4-4, 2-1-3

Evansville

6-5-2, 2-3-1

Evansville

Murray St.

Hardy Leads Second-Half Surge as Racers Top Evansville 3-2

10/19/2025 5:10:00 PM | Women's Soccer

Box Score

By: Sam Rhodes

Murray State used a dominant second-half surge to overcome a 1-0 deficit, earning a 3-2 victory over Evansville for its second straight win in Missouri Valley play.

After surrendering a goal in the first half, the Racers (7-4-4) came out of the break with energy and purpose. Senior Mary Hardy led the charge on her Senior Day, scoring twice in a three-minute span to ignite the comeback. Hardy netted her first goal in the 48th minute off a Katie Donoghue assist. Just three minutes later, following an unsuccessful penalty kick attempt, Hardy headed in her second goal off an Ava Wilson corner kick.

Her two-goal performance capped a memorable Senior Day for the longtime Racer, marking her first multi-goal match of the season and energizing the home crowd.

"No party without Mary Hardy, I always say," head coach Matt Lodge said. "You know she's going to get going. She's had a slow start statistically this season, but she's already, off one game today, joined top scorer."

Wilson delivered the game-winner in the 60th minute, finishing from a Breece Bass assist for her first goal of the season and third point of the match. Her goal also made her the 10th Racer to score this season.

"I thought we were in control from start to finish," Lodge said. "Even at halftime I was calm. I know we've got a team capable of scoring two goals in seven minutes straight out of halftime."

The Racers continued their trend of outshooting opponents, taking 23 shots while holding Evansville (6-5-2) to nine. Hardy and Donoghue led the attack with four shots each, while five other Racers took multiple attempts in Sunday's contest.

"I'm really happy with the style of play," Lodge said. "We knocked it around, controlled the tempo, had them pinned back for maybe 70 out of the 90 minutes, and it was just a really, really good performance. I'm happy for our seniors to get a win on their day."

The Racers look to continue their momentum as the end of the regular season looms. MSU will embark on a three-game road trip to face UIC, Valparaiso and Indiana State to close out conference play. The Racers will take the pitch in Chicago to face UIC on Thursday, Oct. 23.

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