Otahkians roll past ORU

Southeast shows off its depth during 3-0 victory.

By Jeremy Joffray ~ Southeast Missourian

Southeast Missouri State University's women's soccer team showed off its depth Sunday afternoon at Houck Stadium, getting all three goals from substitutes and using 22 different players in a 3-0 victory over Oral Roberts.

Despite having the better scoring chances in the first half, Oral Roberts could not get anything past sophomore goalie Amanda Wrzos.

Southeast forward Jennifer Unrein, who picked up the second goal, said the team was still a little too pumped after Thursday's big win at Kentucky.

"This was not one of our better games," she said.

What Oral Roberts (2-4) lacked in finishing, Southeast (6-2) made up for. Less than two plays after entering the game, junior Erika Todd put a low shot past Oral Roberts goalie Kellie Fenton to get the scoring started 23:35 into the opening half.

Southeast coach Heather Nelson said the win was reminiscent of some of the Otahkians' victories last year when they didn't have their best game but found a way to win.

"I hope the team is starting to fit in the mold of last year's squad," she said.

Southeast put the game away on Unrein's goal with five minutes left in the first half. Oral Roberts was unable to get any momentum back after allowing the late goal.

Nelson showed off her team's depth in the second half, giving several freshmen, including Megan Hejlek and Mary Kalinowski, significant playing time. Hejlek and fellow freshman Ashley DeRoy were around the ball throughout the game, culminating in Hejlek's goal midway through the second half.

Otahkian goalies Wrzos and Lauren Fabbro combined for 11 saves for the team's five shutout. DeRoy and Michelle Frossard picked up assists in the game.

After coming off one of the programs biggest wins in Lexington, Ky., Thursday, Nelson said her team has had a new bounce to its step.

"Since that game we've been rolling with confidence," she said.

Southeast will travel to Des Moines, Iowa, Friday to take on Drake in its next match. That will be followed by a Sunday contest against Creighton in Omaha, Neb.

Unrein said the team is really starting to jell, and should be ready to go for the road trip.

"We're starting to put everything together," she said.

jjoffray@semissourian.com

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