Redhawks unleash nine goals on EKU in lopsided OVC win

~ Southeast may have set a record for goals in a conference match.

RICHMOND, Ky. -- The Southeast Missouri State soccer team capped off its opening Ohio Valley Conference weekend of play with a bang.

Southeast set a school record for goals in an OVC match as the Redhawks routed host Eastern Kentucky 9-0 Sunday afternoon.

That also may be an OVC record for most goals in a conference match, although league officials could not be reached Sunday for confirmation.

Southeast already held the overall OVC record for most single-game goals, set last year during a 12-0 nonconference win over Arkansas-Pine Bluff.

"I guess we were just on fire in the first half," said Southeast coach Heather Nelson, whose squad led EKU 5-0 at the break. "And we were finishing every opportunity we had."

The Redhawks, who began OVC play two days earlier with a 3-2 win at Morehead State, improved to 5-2-1 overall.

"It's a great way for us to start the OVC schedule, to get two solid wins on the road," Nelson said.

Freshman Ashley Runion recorded her first collegiate hat trick Sunday and she added two assists. Runion's three goals give her the team lead with six.

"Ashley scored two goals in the first half, and we talked at halftime about her needing one more for a hat trick," Nelson said. "She got it [early in the second half], then we took her out."

Megan McGrath scored twice for the Redhawks, while Courtney Alexander, Margie Schaeffler, Jessica Beckham and Kristi Frick each had a goal.

Beckham and Frick, two freshmen who had seen virtually no action all year, both netted their first collegiate goals to round out Southeast's scoring. Beckham is actually a backup goalkeeper.

"It was just one of those games," said Nelson, whose team only held an 18-14 advantage in shots against EKU (1-7-2, 0-2).

Alexander and Alaina Lacopo added assists for the Redhawks.

Senior keeper Lindsay Pickering was credited with 10 saves in her third shutout of the season and 23rd of her career, which set a new OVC record.

"It's a great accomplishment for Lindsay," Nelson said.

Southeast plays its first OVC home match Friday when Austin Peay visits Houck Stadium at 7 p.m.

"We're looking forward to being back at home," Nelson said.