Southeast Missouri State soccer team closes regular season with win

The Southeast Missouri State women's soccer team already had locked up the Ohio Valley Conference regular-season title.

But the Redhawks were determined not to have a letdown during Sunday's final regular-season game.

The Redhawks accomplished that mission with a 3-0 rout of Tennessee Tech in front of about 200 fans on senior day at Houck Stadium.

"I'm glad we finished strong," senior defender Shona Goodwin said.

Southeast, which clinched its fourth OVC regular-season championship and first since 2007 with Friday's 3-0 win over Jacksonville State, improved to 12-5-1 overall and 8-1 in conference play.

Southeast Missouri State's Shona Goodwin kicks the ball away from Tennessee Tech's Taylor Hicks during the first half Sunday at Houck Stadium. (Fred Lynch)

Next up for the Redhawks is the six-team OVC tournament, which Southeast will host because of its regular-season crown.

The top-seeded Redhawks have earned a bye for Thursday's opening round. They'll play either Murray State or Morehead State at 7 p.m. Friday in the semifinals. The finals are at 1 p.m. Sunday, with the winner earning the league's automatic NCAA tournament berth.

"We're excited about the tournament," senior midfielder Lauren Bozesky said. "If we play as well as we're capable, I think we'll have a great chance."

Southeast's six seniors were honored before Sunday's match. All have been key contributors to the program's latest title, and one was a member of the Redhawks' 2007 squad that swept the OVC's regular-season and tournament titles to gain the program's second straight NCAA berth.

"Our seniors have had tremendous careers," Southeast coach Heather Nelson said. "They're a combination of work ethic, their ability to create a family environment and their leadership has been excellent.

"It's been a lot of fun. They've really run the show."

Midfielder Vanessa Hart, from Australia, earned second-team all-OVC honors as a freshman in 2007. She missed all of last season with a knee injury but was able to preserve a year of eligibility and play a big role in a second championship.

"To win two regular seasons and one tournament. ... I know she will do everything she can to help us win another one," Nelson said.

Goodwin and fellow defender Nikki Edwards, both natives of Calgary, Alberta, are four-year starters who have spearheaded the OVC's top defense this season. Edwards has started every game of her career.

"They've been stellar," Nelson said.

Forward Jessie Crabtree ranks second on the Redhawks with eight goals during her lone Southeast season after the Marion, Ill., native transferred from the University of Missouri. She also has four assists for a team-high 20 points and leads the OVC in points during conference play with 14.

Bozesky, a St. Louis native, is third on the squad with seven goals and 16 points. She and Crabtree are tied for the OVC lead in goals during league play with five. Bozesky has played two seasons at Southeast after transferring from Saint Louis University.

"They have been absolutely amazing. Both fit into our program so well," Nelson said.

Rounding out the seniors is midfielder Taylor Thomas, a St. Louis native who primarily has come off the bench during her four-year Southeast career.

"Taylor has been huge for us," Nelson said. "She's been a role player, and it's a real credit to her that she understands how important that is."

The six also are impressive students, topped by Bozesky's perfect 4.0 grade point average as she pursues a master's degree in higher education.

"On the field, off the field, we've had great careers," Bozesky said. "And the friendships we've made. ... We're all very close."

The Redhawks scored early and were in total control against Tennessee Tech (5-13-1, 2-7).

Crabtree blasted home a loose ball from point-blank range just 9 minutes, 49 seconds into the contest. Junior Meg Herndon earned an assist.

Junior Hayley Abbott made it 2-0 in the first eight minutes of the second half with her first goal of the season, which was unassisted.

Southeast rounded out the scoring with just over 12 minutes left on freshman Torey Byrd's second goal of the year. Crabtree and Herndon earned assists.

Southeast had a 25-5 edge in shots. Sophomore keeper Ashton Aubuchon recorded four saves in her OVC-leading eighth shutout of the season.

"It was a great day," Hart said. "The seniors had a really good day. We have quite a few seniors, which makes it even more special."

--

OVC tournament

at Houck Stadium

(seeds in parentheses)

Thursday

First round

(3) Tennessee-Martin vs. (6) Eastern Illinois, 4 p.m.

(4) Murray State vs. (5) Morehead State, 7 p.m.

Friday

Semifinals

(2) Eastern Kentucky vs. Tennessee-Martin-Eastern Illinois winner, 4 p.m.

(1) SE MISSOURI vs. Murray State-Morehead State winner, 7 p.m.

Sunday

Championship, 1 p.m.