Southeast readies for OVC tourney with a 2-1 victory

Southeast Missouri State University's women's soccer team fizzled out late in its Ohio Valley Conference schedule, but the squad is intent on finishing the regular season strong and building momentum for next week's OVC tournament.

Southeast took the first step in that direction on Sunday with a 2-1 win over Texas Tech in front of about 100 fans at Houck Stadium.

"We played very well today, much more organized and disciplined," Southeast coach Heather Nelson said. "We want to build momentum into the tournament. We talked about it before the game, no matter the result, we want to play well and get ready for the tournament."

Nelson got a positive result and a strong performance as Southeast improved to 9-5-2. Southeast had lost its final two OVC games to finish in a fifth-place tie among nine teams, forcing it to hit the road for a conference tournament play-in game on Nov. 2. The opponent has not yet been determined.

"We just want to build some momentum going into the tournament and get these next few wins," senior Marla Gianino said.

Southeast has two more non-conference games remaining, Thursday at Division II Southern Illinois-Edwardsville and Sunday in its final home action against Alabama A&M.

Nelson was pleased to get a win against a Big 12 Conference opponent. Although Texas Tech is just 3-15 overall and 0-9 in league play -- being outscored 55-21 on the season, including 34-6 in Big 12 action -- the Red Raiders, who have lost 13 straight games, compete in one of the nation's premier conferences.

"There's a big difference in conferences," Nelson said. "They're from a powerhouse conference. This is a good win for us."

The Red Raiders struck first as Jenifer Thomas beat Southeast keeper Amanda Wrzos on a breakaway midway through the opening half.

Southeast tied things just 21 seconds before halftime as sophomore Caitlin Huber sent a high shot from about 20 yards out over Texas Tech keeper Megan Knauss.

It was the first goal of Huber's Southeast career. Gianino, the school's career leader in assists, earned her fifth assist of the season on the play while junior Lisa Schweppe was also credited with an assist, her fourth of the year.

"Getting my first goal, it was exciting," Huber said.

Southeast broke the 1-1 deadlock with 18:48 remaining in the second half on sophomore Molli Beard's team-high fifth goal of the season as she beat Knauss from about 10 yards out on the left side. Junior Megan Hejlek had fed Beard a nice pass to earn her third assist of the season.

The game was evenly played, with Southeast holding a 12-11 edge in shots. Wrzos, a senior, made seven saves for the school-record 32nd win of her career. Knauss was credited with five saves. Both keepers made several impressive stops.

"This is a good win for us, to beat a Big 12 team," Gianino said. "We needed it."