Otahkians win big OVC showdown against Tenn. Tech

By Larry Lewis

Southeast Missourian

Southeast Missouri State University women's soccer team dominated Tennessee Tech 2-0 in a pivotal Ohio Valley Conference matchup at Houck Stadium Saturday night.

"We were solid from start to finish," said Southeast coach Heather Nelson. "We had more people step up and play well than we've had, probably, all season."

The victory landed the Otahkians firmly into the driver's seat for the conference crown.

Southeast (10-1) jumped into first place in the OVC with a 2-0 record, while Tennessee Tech (9-4), the preseason favorite, fell to 2-1.

Said Nelson, "It was huge, because unless we have some major mess-up, we should host the conference tournament and that's been our goal."

Spearheaded by an all-freshman connection, Southeast scored both of its goals late in the first period.

Freshmen Erin Slattery, Laura Hauskins, Marla Gianino and Kate Huelsing combined for all the scoring.

At the 36-minute mark, Slattery headed a perfect corner kick assist from Gianino into the net to send Southeast up 1-0. Slattery's goal vaulted her into the team lead with six, one more than Nichole Thiele and Erika Todd.

Then, with about four minutes to go in the half, Hauskins knocked in a rebound off Huelsing's shot attempt to put the Otahkians ahead 2-0.

On her freshmen's performance, Nelson said, "Well, they're talented and I think the combination of having that talent and having really good direction from our seniors has just pulled everything together."

Although unable to score in the second half, Southeast kept pressure on the Golden Eagles throughout the contest, outshooting them 15 to five.

"They took us out of our game and controlled the tempo for 90 minutes," said Tennessee Tech coach Greg Stone. "They took it to us. It was a well-deserved victory."

Southeast senior goalkeeper Beth Guccionne, ranked 15th nationally, broke the team career shutout mark with her 10th, eight this season.

Guccionne had three saves, while Tennessee Tech's goalie Carly King stopped seven.