Redhawks try to avenge OT loss

Southeast opens conference tournament against Austin Peay.

By MARTY MISHOW

Southeast Missourian

The Southeast Missouri State women's soccer team will try to avenge a rare loss to Austin Peay tonight.

If the Redhawks are successful, they'll have a berth in the semifinals of the Ohio Valley Conference tournament.

Southeast (7-7-2) and Austin Peay (6-9-3) square off at 7 p.m. at Houck Stadium in the first round of the six-team OVC tournament. The Redhawks are seeded fourth, while the Governors are seeded fifth.

The winner moves on to Friday's semifinals against OVC regular-season champion Samford, which is hosting the semifinals and finals in Birmingham, Ala. The title match is set for Sunday.

"We're looking forward to the tournament," Southeast coach Heather Nelson said. "I think our players are ready to go."

Before this season, Southeast had never lost to Austin Peay, which began its program in 2002. In fact, the Redhawks had not even allowed a goal to the Govs, outscoring them 12-0 in four meetings.

But on Oct. 6 in Clarksville, Tenn., Austin Peay beat Southeast 2-1 on a goal just 22 seconds into overtime.

"Their program has improved a lot," Nelson said. "This should be a great game."

Nelson is perhaps a bit more familiar with what Austin Peay has done than most people outside the program since the Govs' coach is a former player and assistant under Nelson.

Kelly Guth was on Nelson's staff at Southeast in 2000 and 2001 before going to Austin Peay. She played at Florida State when Nelson coached the Seminoles.

"We're very good friends," Nelson said. "Kelly knows what she's doing, and they're very well coached."

Southeast will be trying to reach the OVC tournament semifinals for the second straight season. Last year the Redhawks lost to Eastern Illinois 1-0.

The Redhawks have not made the conference tournament finals since 2002, when they ended a string of two straight championship-game appearances that resulted in losses to Eastern Illinois both times.

A win by Southeast tonight would set up a match against top-seeded Samford, which has won all four OVC regular-season titles since the university joined the conference.

Southeast and Samford (11-3-3) battled to a scoreless tie on Oct. 22 in Birmingham. The Bulldogs, who received a first-round tournament bye, had won all four previous meetings between the squads.

Samford is also the defending tournament champion and last year the Bulldogs became the first OVC women's soccer team to win an NCAA tournament match. Samford is unbeaten in its past 15 matches against OVC opponents.

"We would love to play Samford again," Nelson said.

Also garnering a first-round bye is second-seeded Morehead State (7-7-3).

Today's other opening-round game features sixth-seeded Tennessee-Martin (5-8-5) playing at third-seeded Eastern Illinois (7-6-5).

"I think the tournament is very wide open, maybe more than it's every been," Nelson said. "The conference was so even this year. I think any of the six teams could win it."

Noteworthy

Tonight's match will be a part of Redhawk Rally Night as tailgating will begin in front of Houck Stadium at 6 p.m. Free hot dogs and popcorn will be served.