Otahks win final preseason tuneup after offensive switch

Less than a week away from its season opener, Southeast Missouri State University's soccer team appeared in near-midseason form in a 3-1 exhibition win over the JB Marine-Dillinger select team Sunday night at Houck Stadium.

The Otahkians finished 1-2 in the preseason, a stretch Southeast used to bring along four freshmen who likely will see more playing time when the season starts.

Southeast coach Heather Nelson said working the new players into the Southeast system will take time.

"We weren't a team a week ago," she said.

After falling to St. Louis select club Busch last weekend, the Otahkians moved the ball from sideline to sideline and dominated the offensive chances Sunday. The offensive show was quite a difference from Southeast's inability to create chances against Busch.

"I think the past week we picked it up a lot," Southeast forward Erin Slattery said. "Each game we've gotten better."

Southeast had five or six good scoring chances in the first half, and senior forward Erika Todd alone had four shots on goal. Midfielder Michelle Frossard finally put Southeast on the board with a turn-around shot from about 20 yards out.

Much of Southeast's offense came from a three-forward look, a new formation for the team. The Otahkians used a two-forward system last season.

"Tonight gave us the opportunity to try a different system," Nelson said. "That change created a lot of offense."

More common look

With Southeast's crop of freshmen -- along with several strong veteran forwards --the Otahkians may use the three-forward system more this season. One freshman who likely will see time at the forward position is Molli Beard.

Beard made her exhibition debut Sunday, and she made things happen in her time on the field. Beard's long run down the sideline in the second half resulted in a foul that led to a goal by Slattery. Slattery's goal gave the Otahkians a 2-1 lead.

"She played very well tonight," Nelson said of Beard.

Southeast finished its scoring on a goal from freshman Christina Keim. Keim took a feed from sophomore Ashley DeRoy and buried it in the top-left corner of the net.

Slattery said with three exhibition games under their belts, the team has come together.

"We have great team chemistry," she said. "I think that will bring us far."

Defender Mary Kalinowski and midfielder Jen Cross each sat out Sunday's exhibition game, but she should be ready for Friday's game. Freshman Dee Mayer likely will be out of the lineup while she recovers from knee surgery.

The Otahkians will hit the field for their first game Friday against Ohio in the University of Illinois tournament.

jjoffray@semissourian.com

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