Redhawks shut out UALR

The Southeast Missouri State soccer team is trying to build momentum for the Ohio Valley Conference Tournament -- and Wednesday night's performance sure can't hurt.

The Redhawks totally dominated Arkansas-Little Rock, holding the visiting Trojans without a shot in rolling to a 3-0 victory at Houck Stadium.

Southeast, which did all its scoring in the first half and outshot UALR 18-0, improved to 11-5-1. The Trojans are 3-15-1 and have been outscored 57-7.

"I think we played well," said freshman forward Nicole Bussman, who scored two goals. "We're just working on a lot of things overall, fine-tuning for the tournament."

The Redhawks, who finished tied for third in the Ohio Valley Conference, will host a first-round game in the six-team OVC Tournament Tuesday night against Jacksonville State.

"We're really focusing a lot on team shape and communication, tuning up for the tournament," Southeast coach Heather Nelson said.

Said senior Lisa Schweppe, who scored her team-high eighth goal of the season, "As a team, we have things we need to work on for the tournament. We're just trying to be as ready as we possibly can."

Schweppe continued to move up Southeast's career offensive charts with one goal and one assist. She has 18 goals (tied for third in school history), 13 assists (tied for third) and 49 points (fourth).

"Lisa is really having a great senior season," Nelson said.

Said Schweppe: "I'm definitely pleased with my last year. It's a great way to go out, and hopefully we can end it by going to the NCAA Tournament [the OVC Tournament winner earns an automatic NCAA berth]."

Schweppe put the Redhawks on top Wednesday with a goal just 13 minutes, 23 seconds into the contest. Senior Ashley DeRoy and junior Jessi Wuellner received assists.

For Schweppe, it was her fifth game-winning goal of the season, although it certainly lacked the drama of some of her earlier game-winners that came either late or in overtime.

"In tight games, when we've needed to win, those are the most fun," Schweppe said.

Bussman made it 2-0 with 6:43 left in the first half as she headed in a perfect cross from Schweppe. Bussman scored again with 3:59 remaining before halftime, off an assist from junior Caitlin Huber.

"I got some great passes," said Bussman, whose six goals are second on the squad.

Southeast threatened to score several times in the second half before settling for the 3-0 victory.

Redhawks' junior goalkeeper Lindsay Pickering did not need to make a save in order to record her ninth shutout of the season.

The Redhawks will continue tuning up for the OVC Tournament when they play their final regular-season game at 7 p.m. Friday against visiting South Dakota State (4-11-1).

It will be senior night at Houck Stadium, with Schweppe, DeRoy, Megan Hejlek, Mary Kalinowski and Jackson High School product Erin Hartmann being honored.

Those five have all been key starters most of the past few seasons.

"Senior night is always a real emotional night," Nelson said. "They all came in as freshmen, and they've all meant a lot to our program. It would be nice if we had a good crowd to help honor them."