Southeast Missouri State women's soccer team wins home finale 2-1

The Southeast Missouri State soccer team sent its seniors out with a win in their final home game.

Several underclassmen who played key roles in Sunday's 2-1 victory over Morehead State at Houck Stadium couldn't have been happier for their older squad leaders.

"It was definitely one of our motivations for the entire weekend," freshman Storm French said. "We called it senior weekend."

Said sophomore Torey Byrd: "For sure we wanted to do it for the seniors in their last home games."

Byrd scored her team-leading third goal of the season and French, a St. Vincent High School graduate, netted her second goal of the year.

Southeast players celebrate a goal by Storm French, right, during the first half of Sunday's game against Morehead State at Houck Stadium. French's goal tied the score at 1-1.LAURA SIMON lsimon@semissourian.com

Non-seniors also accounted for all Southeast's assists. Sophomore Kasey Crowden, a Jackson High School graduate, helped on both goals.

Paige Luehmann notched her team-high fourth assist of the season, just ahead of Crowden's three.

Junior Jacey Boyko, who scored the lone goal during Friday's 1-0 senior night win over Eastern Kentucky, added an assist Sunday. She has two goals and two assists on the season.

"The girls definitely put it on for us today," said Hayley Abbott, one of Southeast's appreciative seniors. "To get two wins in our last two home games, you can't ask for much more.

"We're starting to put in a few goals, get the confidence going."

Southeast, which has a two-game winning streak for the first time this season, improved to 4-9-3 overall and 3-3-1 in Ohio Valley Conference play. Morehead fell to 1-11-2 and 1-4-1.

The Redhawks have moved into a five-way tie for third place in the 11-team OVC.

"I think we're playing as a team more than we have been," Byrd said.

Byrd snapped a 1-1 halftime tie when she headed in a cross from Crowden with 20 minutes, 21 seconds left in the final period.

The play began when Luehmann's first cross went to the far corner. Crowden chased the ball down before it went out of bounds and served a high ball back into the middle that Byrd headed cleanly.

"It was an awesome pass from Kasey," Byrd said. "All I had to do was get my head on it."

French tied the contest with 21:17 remaining in the opening half when her point-blank shot found the low left corner. Boyko crossed a ball into the box and Crowden's header found French.

"It feels great to be able to contribute to the win," French said. "It's a lot of fun playing here. The team is great. We've got really good chemistry."

French began the season on defense but recently was moved to a forward position to spark Southeast's offense. The change has worked -- both her goals have come in the past three games.

"We moved Storm up to striker, and she's been very effective," Southeast coach Heather Nelson said.

French was among four Southeast freshmen who started Sunday.

"We're excited about her future with us," Nelson said. "I can say that about all our freshmen." The Eagles struck first with 26:08 left in the first half on a point-blank shot by sophomore Elizabeth McSparin.

Southeast senior keeper Renee Kertz recorded five saves, including a spectacular stop late in the first half when she dove to her right and deflected a shot off the goal post.

"Renee, in my mind, was the player of the game for us with the save she made at the end of the first half," Nelson said.

Morehead had a 14-8 advantage in shots, while Southeast held a 2-1 edge in corner kicks.

In addition to Abbott and Kertz, other Southeast seniors are Notre Dame Regional High School graduate Courtney Luehmann, Central High School graduate Sarah Uptmor, Ali Bauer and the late Meg Herndon, who died last month in a motor vehicle accident.

"They deserve it," Nelson said about Southeast winning its final two home games. "They've been great leaders for us."

Southeast finishes the regular season with three road games beginning at first-year OVC member Belmont on Friday night.