Redhawks encounter first loss

~ The Southeast women's soccer team lost 1-0 despite outplaying Evansville

Southeast Missouri State women's soccer coach Heather Nelson was disappointed but not discouraged following her team's first loss of the young season.

Despite the Redhawks holding a commanding edge in shots, Evansville escaped with a 1-0 win Sunday night at Houck Stadium.

The Redhawks beat visiting Indiana State 1-0 in double overtime in Friday's season opener.

Defending Missouri Valley Conference regular-season and tournament champion Evansville was playing its first game.

"It's disappointing because I felt like we outplayed them," Nelson said. "But I'm not discouraged at all."

Coming off just its second losing season in the first 10 years of the program, Southeast is trying to bounce back with a young squad that features nine true freshmen, including five who started the first two games.

"I'm very excited about how far along we are," said Nelson, a three-time OVC coach of the year who has a 103-57-21 record since starting the program in 1999 despite last year's 2-9-3 mark. "For this early in the season ... they can play."

Nelson thought the Redhawks displayed their skill Sunday despite the defeat as they outshot the Purple Aces 21-6.

"I thought we had some dangerous chances," Nelson said.

Freshman Ali Bauer was especially impressive as she wreaked havoc against the Aces with a game-high six shots.

Bauer nearly tied the contest with just more than eight minutes left, but her blast from 30 yards out hit the crossbar.

"She was one of our best forwards this game," Nelson said. "She created some chances and she served our most dangerous crosses into the box."

Nelson felt a defensive breakdown led to the game's only goal early in the second half.

A long, high-bouncing ball got behind Southeast's defense and was tracked down by a streaking Kristen Davis.

Davis moved in all alone on freshman goalkeeper Kaitlyn Smugala, who had little chance to stop the shot that found the net 8 minutes, 15 seconds into the final period.

"We just had one breakdown," Nelson said. "Two of our defenders went for the same ball, so we had no cover on it.

"But it's a maturity thing. We've got two freshmen and one sophomore on the back. They'll get better."

The goal came about four minutes after Smugala was shaken up during a collision with an Evansville player.

Smugala, who appeared to injure a leg, remained in the contest but had to be removed about a minute after the goal as the leg gave out while kicking a ball. She was replaced by another freshman, Kristen Starkey.

Evansville also is young as four freshmen started Sunday, including Davis.

"They lost some maturity, too, but they're always very talented," Nelson said. "I think it was a great game for both teams."

Southeast plays the third of four straight home games at 7 p.m. Friday when Alabama A&M visits.