SE SOCCER SETTLES FOR OPENING TIE

When Southeast Missouri State University's women's soccer team jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the first 29 seconds of the game, many of the 274 fans in attendance probably thought the rout was on.

Little did they know that the marathon was on instead.

Through the end of regulation and two 15-minute overtime periods, the Otahkians and the University of Northern Iowa Panthers battled to a 1-1 tie during the season opener for both teams at Houck Field House.

The Panthers of the Missouri Valley Conference, in their first season of soccer competition, withstood numerous shots-on-goal to keep the Otahkians scoreless the remainder of the game.

"I'm not disappointed in our playing, just our inability to finish some of the scoring opportunities we had," said Heather Nelson, last year's Ohio Valley Conference Coach of the Year in the Otahkians' inaugural season. "But I don't want to take anything away from them. Their goalkeeper was outstanding. She did her job and more."

Freshman goalie Anne Marie Witko had a great game with 11 saves on 28 Southeast shot attempts.

Nichole Thiele, a senior forward, put Southeast on the board with an unassisted goal just inside the left goalpost off a rebound of a missed shot attempt.

With 28 seconds left in the first half, the Panthers tied the game on an unassisted goal by freshman Jenny Scheller.

Unable to mount many scoring opportunities, the Panthers managed only seven shots.

"We did well to get the chances we had," said Panther coach Linda Whitehead. " My hat's off to them. Their defense kept us under the gun for most of the game."

Both squads seemed to fall victim to their youth, inexperience and possibly first-game jitters.

"We're a little young and we're a little bit excited when we're doing things," said Nelson. "Better concentration and composure will come with time."