Southeast scores three first-half goals in 3-0 victory

~ Southeast will playtop-seeded Samfordin Friday's semifinals.

The Southeast Missouri State women's soccer team could not have scripted a better start to its opening Ohio Valley Conference tournament game.

As a result, the Redhawks did not need to sweat out a first-round victory.

Southeast scored three goals in the first 25 minutes of play and cruised past Austin Peay 3-0 Tuesday night at Houck Stadium.

Southeast Missouri State's Megan McGrath, right, cut to the inside of Austin Peay's Nikki Moore for a pass during the first half of Tuesday's first-round Ohio Valley Conference tournament game at Houck Stadium.

The Redhawks (8-7-2), seeded fourth for the six-team tournament, advance to play defending champion and host Samford at 7 p.m. Friday in the semifinals in Birmingham, Ala.

"The first half the effort was there and we were mentally sharp," Southeast coach Heather Nelson said. "It was a nice change for us to take care of business early."

Particularly since Southeast had lost at fifth-seeded Austin Peay 2-1 in overtime on Oct. 6. That marked the first win by the Governors (6-10-3) over the Redhawks.

"They beat us last time, but everybody came in really pumped up and confident," Southeast sophomore Casey Kraft said. "It was nice to get some early goals. Not that we could relax, but it really helped."

Southeast Missouri State's Margie Schaeffler, partially hidden, beat Austin Peay's Claire Bennett for control of a ball for a header during the first half of Tuesday's Ohio Valley Conference tournament game. The Redhawks won 3-0 and advanced to Friday's semifinal round, which will be played in Birmingham, Ala.

Added Redhawks junior Blair Schuppan: "We all came out really strong. It was good to jump on top early."

Nelson said Southeast has been working extra hard in recent weeks on finishing off scoring chances and that paid dividends Tuesday.

"I felt like we were ready to put it together," she said.

After Austin Peay misfired on several strong early scoring opportunities, the Redhawks jumped on top about 14 minutes into the game.

Schuppan drilled home a shot from about 15 yards out after taking a nice pass from Alaina Lacopo. It was Schuppan's fourth goal of the season.

"We've been working real hard on crashing the goal and scoring," Schuppan said. "It all came together tonight."

Kraft made it 2-0 less than 3 minutes later, scoring on a penalty kick for her second goal of the season. She was taken down in the box just as she appeared ready to beat an Austin Peay defender to the net.

The Redhawks went ahead 3-0 with a little more than 20 minutes remaining in the first half as freshman Nicole Monks scored her first collegiate goal, with a sharp assist from Margie Schaeffler.

After that, it was pretty much a matter of what the final score would be. Southeast misfired on several more solid opportunities but still came away with a comfortable victory.

Southeast held a 25-11 edge in shots. Lindsay Pickering and freshman Rachel Harrington combined on the shutout, each playing a half and each making three saves.

Pickering, the 2005 OVC defensive player of the year, worked the opening period in the nets despite having strep throat. With a nice cushion, Nelson decided to rest Pickering in the final half.

"It wasn't really worth risking, but she should be fine for Friday," Nelson said.

Now the Redhawks will set their sights on top-seeded Samford as they try to reach the OVC tournament finals for the first time since 2002. The champion earns an automatic NCAA berth.

Samford (11-3-3) has won all four OVC regular-season titles since the university joined the conference.

Before this season, the Bulldogs had beaten Southeast in all four previous meetings, but on Oct. 22 the squads battled to a scoreless tie in Birmingham.

Samford is unbeaten in its past 15 matches against OVC opponents -- but the Redhawks believe they are ready to end that streak.

"We are all pumped," Schuppan said. "We tied them earlier in a really good game and hopefully we can come out with a win, and then win the tournament."

Added Kraft, "We know we can play with them and we're all really excited."

Nelson expects another tight battle with the Bulldogs as Southeast chases its first OVC tournament title and NCAA berth.

"I think we match up well with them and it should be a great game," Nelson said.