Southeast Missouri State soccer squad falls 2-1 to UTM

The Southeast Missouri State soccer team lost to visiting Tennessee-Martin 2-1 in overtime Friday night in an unusual nonconference meeting between the Ohio Valley Conference programs.

Southeast, which won at UTM 2-1 in the conference matchup on Oct 14, fell to 10-5-1 overall. The Redhawks continue to lead the OVC with a 6-1 record.

Friday's contest was arranged before the season because the squads, who are travel partners for OVC play, were off from league competition over the weekend.

"We both thought it was better to play rather than be off 12 days at this point in the season," Southeast coach Heather Nelson said.

UTM (9-6-2) scored with just over two minutes left in the first half to lead 1-0.

Southeast tied the contest with less than four minutes left in regulation on senior Lauren Bozesky's seventh goal of the season. Junior Ali Bauer earned an assist.

The Skyhawks broke through with just 3 minutes, 16 left in the second and final 10-minute overtime period. Midori Sera found the net from about 18 yards out to end the contest.

UTM held a 15-14 advantage in shots and an 8-2 edge in corner kicks.

Sophomore Jessica Grindstaff made her first start of the season in goal for the Redhawks and recorded one save in the first half. Freshman Abby Jordan took over after the break and stopped four of five shots.

"This was a good soccer match tonight," Nelson said. "I thought both teams matched up very well. This was the type of game we need to stay sharp going into the final weekend of conference play. We were able to give a lot of players extended minutes. The result was unfortunate, but I felt we played pretty well."

The Redhawks finish OVC play with two home matches, Oct. 28 against Jacksonville State and Oct. 30 against Tennessee Tech.

Southeast only needs a tie in its remaining two matches to clinch at least a share of the OVC regular-season title. The Redhawks then would host the conference tournament Nov. 3 through 6.

Volleyball

The Southeast volleyball team split a pair of OVC road matches over the weekend.

The Redhawks beat Tennessee Tech 25-13, 19-25, 25-23, 25-22 on Friday, then lost to Jacksonville State 25-27, 17-25, 25-20, 25-16, 15-6 on Saturday.

Southeast (10-14, 8-5) is fourth in the 11-team OVC after finishing ninth last season.

Sophomore Colleen Yarber posted a match-high 16 kills against Tennessee Tech.

Sophomore Berkley Idel recorded a career-high 28 digs.

Sophomore Setter Julie Shives had 35 assists to go along with 12 digs and seven kills. Sophomore Emily Coon had nine kills and a match-high .368 kill percentage. Senior Paige Dossey added 11 digs.

Yarber again led Southeast in kills against JSU with 14 and Idel again had the most digs with 18.

Coon and junior Brittney Kalinoski added 12 kills each. Coon also had eight blocks.

Shives recorded 39 assists, 10 digs and eight kills. Dossey added 14 digs.

Southeast returns to action Tuesday at Murray State.

-- From staff reports