Southeast Missouri State soccer team displays new chemistry in exhibition tie

~ Southeast battled Saint Louis University to a 0-0 tie

Breana Beine wasn't able to play in games for the Southeast Missouri State women's soccer team last season.

Erin Shulman was limited in her participation during the 2012 campaign due to a knee injury.

The speedy forwards are looking to make up for lost time this year -- and if Tuesday night's exhibition opener is any indication, they are well on their way.

Neither Beine or Shulman found the net as Southeast and Saint Louis University battled to a 0-0 tie in front of about 250 fans at Houck Stadium.

But they both helped create some nice chances and displayed solid chemistry that only figures to get better the more they work together.

"I think once we start playing more games, we'll be able to connect very well," Shulman said.

Beine was credited with two of Southeast's six shots as the Redhawks held a narrow 6-5 edge in that category.

"She's a very good addition for us," Southeast coach Heather Nelson said. "She's a very dangerous player in the final third of the field, and she'll take more huge steps forward the more she plays."

Beine. a junior who played her first two collegiate seasons at Evansville, sat out last year under NCAA transfer rules but she was able to practice with the Redhawks.

Beine was Evansville's top scorer with seven goals and 16 points to earn Missouri Valley Conference freshman of the year and first-team all-MVC honors in 2010. She scored three goals for the Aces in 2011 before deciding to transfer to Southeast.

"I'm really excited to be here," said Beine, who is from St. Peters, Mo.

Beine said she put her season away from game competition to good use last year by getting adjusted to her new teammates.

"It was good to get used to everyone," she said.

Beine liked what she saw from the Redhawks on Tuesday.

"I think we looked good, and we're only going to get better," she said.

Shulman is now much better physically, which was easy to see as she proved to be her normal pesky self to the opposing defense.

"She brings another level of excitement to the attacking part of the field," Nelson said.

Shulman was the 2011 Ohio Valley Conference freshman of year and a first-team all-OVC selection when she scored nine goals.

The Bloomington, Ill., native had only one goal and one assist last year as she missed the final 15 games due to her knee injury.

"It's very good to be back. I feel better than last year, obviously," Shulman said with a smile.

Shulman, like Beine, came away pleased by the Redhawks' performance against SLU.

"For our first game, I thought we looked really well," said Shulman, still a sophomore eligibility-wise as she was able to receive a medical redshirt for 2012. "There's always room for improvement, but I thought we all worked together."

Another speedy new addition up front for the Redhawks is Natasha Minor, among eight Southeast freshmen and one of two who started Tuesday, along with Christina Rohde in the back.

Minor joined Beine and Shulman in making several impressive runs.

"I was very impressed with Tash. She's extremely fast, a very skilled player," Nelson said.

Nelson also came away impressed with the Redhawks in general as they battled a solid SLU squad toe to toe.

"Overall I was really pleased with our performance," Nelson said. "We're in day six of being together [during preseason camp], and we've got eight freshmen and 10 newcomers.

"SLU is always a talented team. I was pleased with our ball possession as the game went on. We didn't get many shots on goal, but we created some dangerous situations for being together less than a week."

The Redhawks have a young roster featuring just four seniors, but they return 14 letterwinners and six starters.

Some of the key graduation losses were to Southeast's back line, which featured virtually an entirely new look Tuesday.

Nelson was especially pleased by the play of senior Jacey Boyko, who has moved from a forward position to the back.

"I thought she did an outstanding job," Nelson said. "Our whole back line we started was brand new. They need to get this game experience."

Senior Ashton Aubuchon and freshman Lauren Meyer split time in goal for the Redhawks.

Aubuchon stopped the only shot that came her way during the first half. Meyer played the entire second half and did not face a shot.

SLU keeper Hanna Benben was credited with three saves.

Southeast has two more home exhibitions before opening the season Aug. 23 at Nebraska.

The Redhawks face Lipscomb on Friday and Missouri S&T on Saturday. Both games are at 6:30 p.m.