Southeast will host cross country meet

Southeast Missouri State University's cross country program will have its only opportunity to display its talents in front of a home crowd today.

The annual Southeast Invitational at Capaha Park will begin at 11 a.m. with a 3.1-mile women's race. The 3.1-mile men's race will follow at 11:45 a.m.

Joining Southeast in the six-team meet will be Murray State, Tennessee-Martin, Memphis, Bethel (Tenn.) and the St. Louis College of Pharmacy.

"It's always exciting for our athletes to run at home," Southeast coach Eric Heins said. "We're trying to get as many friends and family out as possible."

Heins said the meet will be fan-friendly as races start and finish behind the Capaha Park baseball outfield, with several laps around the lagoon.

"Fans who come out and support the runners will be able to see most of the race pretty well," Heins said.

Both Southeast squads are the defending champions and figure to be solid favorites again, said Heins. The men were recently ranked 15th in the Midwest Region.

"We're looking for the men and women to win it, like last year," he said.

Today's meet will be Southeast's final performance before the Ohio Valley Conference Championships next Saturday in Martin, Tenn. Heins believes his teams are peaking at the right time as they gear up for the OVC race.

"Both teams are looking good," he said. "Hopefully both will be in the top three of the OVC."

Soccer loses at EIU

Southeast's soccer team completed its OVC schedule Friday afternoon with a 2-1 overtime loss at Eastern Illinois.

Southeast fell to 8-5-2 overall and 3-3-2 in league play as it was eliminated from contention for hosting a first-round OVC tournament play-in game. The third and fourth place finishers host those contests. Southeast entered play Friday in a fourth-place tie but is assured of ending up no higher than fifth.

After EIU (10-4-2, 6-1-1) scored just 2:08 into the game, Southeast countered 20 seconds later on a goal by Molli Beard, with Megan Matter getting an assist.

That's the way things stood through the 90 minutes of regulation. Six seconds before the first of two 10-minute sudden-death overtime periods would end, EIU's Michelle Steinhaus scored to end things.

The Panthers dominated the contest with a 26-9 edge in shots. Southeast keeper Amanda Wrzos was credited with nine saves while EIU's keeper was not forced to make a save.

Southeast has three more non-conference games remaining prior to the OVC tournament, including Sunday's 11 a.m. home match against Big 12 Conference member Texas Tech at Houck Stadium.

Texas Tech was 3-13 overall and 0-8 in Big 12 play prior to Friday's contest at Missouri. The Raiders had been outscored 49-19 on the season, including 30-5 in conference play.

Volleyball falls at UTM

Southeast's volleyball squad suffered a 31-29, 30-28, 30-24 OVC loss at Tennessee-Martin Friday night. Southeast is 5-14 overall and 4-5 in league play. UTM is 5-4 and 8-11.

Jessica Koeper and Jill Miller both posted double-doubles for Southeast. Koeper had 10 kills and 16 digs, while Miller had 10 kills and 11 digs.

Southeast has another OVC road match tonight, playing Murray State at 7 p.m.