Iowa State turns back Southeast Missouri State soccer team 2-0

The Southeast Missouri State soccer team improved by three goals from the first time it played Iowa State.

That didn't prevent the Redhawks from losing to the Cyclones for the second time this year, although only one counted.

The visiting Cyclones of the Big 12 Conference scored early in the second half and added a late goal to post a 2-0 win Sunday afternoon at Houck Stadium.

ISU's other victory over the Redhawks, a 5-0 exhibition romp Aug. 13 in St. Louis, didn't go on either squad's record.

"They're a really good team," Southeast senior defender Nikki Edwards said. "It was good for us to have a game like this in the middle of the conference and it was nice to play them a second time."

Southeast Missouri State's Jessie Crabtree controls the ball in front of Iowa State's Mary Kate McLaughlin during the first half Sunday at Houck Stadium. (Fred Lynch)

The Cyclones, who are 0-5 in Big 12 play, improved to 7-8-1 overall. Three of ISU's conference defeats are by one goal and the others are by two goals.

"It's been tough. We've lost some tough games," ISU coach Wendy Dillinger said. "It's good to get a win."

Southeast is leading the Ohio Valley Conference with a 6-1 record. The Redhawks are 10-4-1 overall.

"We were happy to play a Big 12 opponent this late in the season," Southeast coach Heather Nelson said. "Iowa State provides a different style than we are used to seeing.

"They're a very good team. We competed well. We had spurts where we showed we were able to play against them."

ISU outshot Southeast 23-5, but the Redhawks' strong defense kept the Cyclones off the scoreboard in the first half.

The Cyclones broke through about nine minutes into the final period when Mary Kate McLaughlin headed in a corner kick from Emily Goldstein.

Southeast turned up the pressure over the final 10 minutes, creating some of its best chances but never putting a dangerous shot on goal.

ISU iced the victory with a little under three minutes remaining when Goldstein scored from close range.

Southeast sophomore keeper Ashton Aubuchon was credited with four saves.

"This was probably our most physical match since we played Kentucky," Nelson said about another squad from a power conference that beat Southeast 2-0 early in the season. "We have the most difficult strength of schedule in the OVC."

Southeast played its fourth straight match without freshman forward Erin Shulman, the squad's leading scorer with nine goals. She has been out with an ankle injury.

Nelson said Shulman is continuing to make progress.

"We hope to have her back soon," Nelson said.

Senior midfielder Vanessa Hart, another of the Redhawks' top players, also is nursing an injury and did not see action against Iowa State.

Sunday's contest started a string of four straight Southeast home matches to end the regular season. The Redhawks will host Tennessee-Martin at 6:30 p.m. Friday.