Redhawks' offense kicks in against DePaul

The Southeast Missouri State women's soccer team had been waiting for an offensive explosion.

It finally came Sunday afternoon as the Redhawks blistered the nets for a 4-1 win over visiting DePaul.

"We've had trouble scoring and we've been focusing on that in practice," said senior forward Alaina Lacopo, who netted two goals Sunday.

Added sophomore forward Courtney Alexander, who assisted on both of Lacopo's goals: "We've been struggling to score. To score four goals ... awesome."

Southeast, which had netted one goal in its first two games of the season, improved to 2-1. Big East Conference member DePaul is 2-3.

Southeast Missouri State's Margie Schaeffler headed the ball away from DePaul's Molly Borchardt (8), Tara Strickland (4) and Tiffany Jordan (12) during the second half Sunday at Houck Stadium. (Fred Lynch)

"We've been focusing on possession," Southeast coach Heather Nelson said. "I'm pleased with the way we played. It's a good win for us."

DePaul, which beat Southeast 3-2 last year in Chicago, scored first Sunday, about midway through the opening half.

But the Redhawks controlled much of the play the remainder of the contest.

The Redhawks tied things about nine minutes before halftime as freshman forward Ashley Runion blasted a 20-yard shot into the top portion of the net. Runion's unassisted goal was her second of the season (she later added an assist). To that point, she had scored both Southeast goals this year.

That quickly changed after halftime as the Redhawks pulled away from the 1-1 deadlock and eventually broke things open.

"We played much better in the second half," Nelson said.

About 11 minutes into the final period, Alexander made one of her several dazzling runs down the sideline and fed a perfect cross to Lacopo, who tapped the ball into the net from just a few feet away. Junior defender Megan McGrath also earned an assist on the play.

As good as that go-ahead goal looked, it paled in comparison to the way Alexander and Lacopo hooked up on a highlight-reel play with about 13 minutes remaining.

Runion fed Alexander a pass down the left side and Alexander barely tracked it down before it reached the end line. Alexander crossed the ball into the middle and Lacopo left her feet for a diving header that found its mark, making it 3-1.

"That's the best goal I've seen Alaina score," Nelson said. "She threw everything forward to finish it."

Said a smiling Lacopo: "I hadn't scored a goal like that in forever. But it was a perfect ball. I got two perfect balls. I couldn't have done it without them."

Alexander, who as a freshman last year led the Ohio Valley Conference with nine goals, has not yet scored this season. But she's had plenty of chances, including a couple Sunday.

"I don't really care about goals, as long as we're scoring goals," Alexander said. "We had some awesome people finishing today. The timing ... it took us a while, but we're finally clicking together."

In the closing minutes, Redhawks sophomore forward Lauren Lacopo scored an unassisted goal as she lofted a long, floating shot that somehow found its way into the net.

It was the first time the Lacopo sisters had scored in the same game while at Southeast, and it was only Lauren's second collegiate goal.

"It was pretty sweet," said Alaina, who had five goals last season.

Sophomore goalkeeper Rachel Harrington played the second half and earned credit for her first collegiate victory by making four saves.

It was Harrington's initial appearance in the nets this season, after she saw limited action last year. Senior all-conference keeper Lindsay Pickering played the opening half Sunday and allowed the lone goal.

"I just didn't think Lindsay was sharp," Nelson said. "But I know Lindsay will bounce back."

While Southeast benefited from all that offense -- the Redhawks outshot DePaul 20-13 -- Nelson also credited her defense. Southeast's defensive highlight came with about 22 minutes left and the Redhawks clinging to a 2-1 lead.

A DePaul shot lofted over Harrington appeared ready to tie things, but junior Casey Kraft cleared the ball just before it crossed the goal line.

"Credit to our back line," Nelson said. "We were playing short [due to injury], but they did well."

Southeast visits Evansville Tuesday.