'Hawks recover from first loss

Southeast posted a 3-0 victory over SIU-Edwardsville.

After Southeast Missouri State played an emotional game Friday against St. Louis University -- and suffered its first loss of the season -- coach Heather Nelson was anxious to see how her team would respond.

Nelson got just the answer she was looking for Monday night as the Redhawks bounced back with a 3-0 victory over Division II Southern Illinois-Edwardsville at Houck Stadium.

"It was a good test to see if we could step it up after the St. Louis University game," Nelson said. "I was pleased."

The Redhawks improved to 2-1 and dropped SIU-E to 2-2. Despite the Cougars' Division II status, Nelson considers them to be a strong squad.

"They're an excellent team, and they're very well coached," she said. "I think they'll be a top team in their division."

Southeast dominated much of the contest, with a 15-4 edge in shots. But the Redhawks, despite having several golden scoring opportunities in the first half, failed to convert, so the teams went to the intermission tied 0-0.

But the second half was a different story. Southeast finally broke through a little more than nine minutes into the period on an unassisted goal by Alaina Lacopo -- her team-leading second goal of the season -- and never looked back.

Midway through the final half, sophomore Margie Schaeffler scored, with an assist from freshman Jessica Kaiz, to make it 2-0.

The Redhawks rounded out the scoring with just under 10 minutes remaining on an own-goal as an SIU-E player, trying to clear the ball, instead booted it into the Cougars' net.

"After the first half we just needed to get organized, start connecting our passes, start placing the ball a little better," Schaeffler said.

Said Nelson, "I think we started figuring some things out tonight. We're just getting to know each other."

Junior goalkeeper Lindsay Pickering was credited with three saves as she recorded her second shutout of the season.

SIU-E was no doubt hurt when its starting keeper, Kim Roady, was injured just 17 minutes into the contest and could not continue.

Southeast plays its next three games on the road, beginning Friday at Arkansas-Pine Bluff.