Redhawks move to top of OVC with 2-0 victory

~ Southeast netted two second-half goals against Murray State.

The series between Southeast Missouri State and Murray State has been so even, Redhawks' coach Heather Nelson fully expected a one-goal result Tuesday night.

Much to Nelson's delight, however, the Redhawks did not have to sweat out a narrow victory.

Southeast scored twice within barely a minute early in the second half to beat the Racers 2-0 in front of about 125 fans at Houck Stadium.

The Redhawks improved to 5-4 overall and 2-0 in Ohio Valley Conference play as they moved into first place in the league. Murray State is 3-5-2 overall and 0-1-1 in the OVC.

"It was a good game and a good win for us," Nelson said. "I was thinking it would be one goal, and maybe overtime."

Why wouldn't Nelson have expected that? The series between the teams had been tied 4-4 and the last five meetings had been decided by one goal, with three in overtime.

"To win 2-0 is very good," Nelson said. "And we had opportunities, if we had capitalized on some corners, to score some more goals."

After the Redhawks missed out on several strong scoring chances in the first half, they finally broke through 10 minutes into the second half.

Sophomore Megan McGrath, who had several dangerous corner kicks on the night, sent a well-placed boot in front of the Murray State goal and junior Margie Schaeffler headed it home for a 1-0 lead.

Schaeffler narrowly missed heading home two other balls from McGrath in the opening period.

"All of them were great, and I'm glad I finally put one in," said Schaeffler, who has three goals this season. "We look for each other. We're on the same page."

Said Nelson: "Megan has been one of our best players in the two OVC contests. She really placed the corners well, and Margie stepped up."

A little more than a minute later, freshman Courtney Alexander scored her team-leading seventh goal of the season on a play that was originally initiated by McGrath's free kick. Schaeffler and junior Alaina Lacopo earned assists.

Southeast junior keeper Lindsay Pickering was not overly busy in her fifth shutout of the year, but she made a dazzling save on a breakaway late in the first half that kept the game scoreless.

"She's so solid," Nelson said.

Pickering, who was credited with four saves, has 16 career shutouts in less than two seasons to tie the school record.

The Redhawks outshot the Racers 11-9 and had a 7-2 edge in corner kicks.

Southeast plays at perennial OVC power Eastern Illinois Friday afternoon in a key contest.

"That's a big one," Nelson said.

Noteworthy

* Southeast sophomore Nicole Bussman is the OVC offensive player of the week. She scored the game-winning goal in Sunday's 1-0 win over Tennessee-Martin.