New teams fill role of spoilers in Otahkians' weekend

The two new women's soccer teams in the Ohio Valley Conference have been a thorn in the side to Southeast Missouri State University.

Two days after their 14-game regular-season OVC winning streak was snapped by visiting Samford, the Otahkians had to settle for a 0-0 home tie with Jacksonville State on Sunday.

Nearly 200 fans at Houck Stadium witnessed 110 minutes of scoreless soccer that featured good chances by both teams but no goals.

"It was a rough weekend for us," Southeast freshman Molli Beard said.

Southeast, which won the past two OVC regular-season titles and was the preseason coaches' choice to make it three in a row, is 7-3-4 overall and 2-1-1 in conference play.

Jacksonville State from Alabama is 6-3-4 and 1-0-3. The Gamecocks were coming off Friday's 1-1 tie at Eastern Illinois, which captured the past two OVC Tournament championships.

"We lost seven seniors and four of our top five scorers from last year, so this is a rebuilding year," said Jacksonville State coach Lisa Howe, whose squad went 12-6-2 in 2002. "We were picked sixth in the conference, but I think that has allowed us to sneak up on some people."

Southeast coach Heather Nelson said the weekend's results didn't really surprise her.

"I think what everybody has said about the league this year is true. There's a lot of parity," Nelson said. "I think every game the rest of our schedule will be a one-goal game. That's just the way the league is."

The Otahkians held a 14-7 edge in shots and had several good chances late. Jacksonville State goalkeeper Amanda Stephens made 10 saves, while Southeast keeper Amanda Wrzos was credited with four saves.

"We had our chances," Nelson said, "but soccer isn't always a fair game."

Jacksonville State appeared to score early in the second half, but the referees waived it off, ruling the ball hit the crossbar of the football goalpost -- which is right above the soccer goal -- before it went into the net.

Beard had a solid chance later but her shot from about 20 yards out was saved by a diving Stephens.

With eight minutes left in regulation, Stephens misplayed a ball and Beard had an open net from a bad angle, but she fired wide.

"I was trying to get it toward the goal, and hopefully it would hit off the goalie or another player," Beard said.

After two 45-minute halves, it was on to a pair of 10-minute sudden-death overtime periods. Southeast had two good chances in the first extra session, but Beard was stopped by Stephens and Diana Poovey shot over the top of the goal.

"We had a lot of chances, but we just couldn't finish," Beard said.

Despite the disappointing weekend, Nelson said the two new OVC programs can only make the league stronger.

"It strengthens the league and also encourages some different rivalries," Nelson said. "I'm excited about them being in the league."

mmishow@semissourian.com

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