Southeast soccer surpasses '08 win total

~ The Redhawks posted their third victory, a 1-0 decision against Northern Illinois

It hasn't taken the Southeast Missouri State's soccer team long to put last year's rare down season in the rearview mirror.

The Redhawks already have posted more wins than in all of 2008 following Sunday's 1-0 home victory over Northern Illinois.

"We're excited," Southeast junior midfielder Vanessa Hart said. "We have high hopes for the season. We're expecting a lot out of ourselves."

Southeast improved to 3-1 after going 2-9-3 a year ago. That broke a string of eight consecutive winning seasons for the Redhawks, who have captured three Ohio Valley Conference regular-season titles and two tournament crowns.

Heather Nelson, who started Southeast's program in 1999, expected the Redhawks to bounce back strong this year.

"It's nice [to already have three wins], especially since we're pretty much averaging starting five freshmen per game," said Nelson, Southeast's 11th-year coach who has compiled a 105-57-21 record.

One of those freshmen scored Sunday's lone goal as defender Hayley Abbott headed in a corner kick from junior forward Mabel Velarde less than two minutes into the second half.

Abbott already has made her mark as a leader of Southeast's defense. She's also shown an ability to score, netting her first collegiate goal on a free kick Friday against Alabama A&M.

"She's running the show in the back for us. She organizes everybody," Nelson said. "That's very rare for a freshman.

"We bring her up for corner kicks because she ends up on the end of the ball. And she's very dangerous on set pieces."

Abbott, who is from Australia, said she is enjoying herself at Southeast. Having a fellow Australian on the squad in Hart doesn't hurt.

"It's fun. I'm enjoying it all," Abbott said. "It's nice to already know somebody."

Said Hart: "It's great having her over here. We're from the same state. We played against each other and with each other."

Sunday's final score easily could have been 4-0 as Southeast had the game's other three-beat scoring opportunities.

"It would have been nice to have gotten one more [goal]," Nelson said. "I didn't want it to go to overtime with all the good work we did.

"I complimented the team for creating chances."

NIU (1-1) beat Southeast 1-0 last year in DeKalb, Ill.

"They're a good team," Nelson said. "I thought we played well."

Freshman goalkeeper Kristen Starkey earned her second straight shutout as she was credited with five saves.

Southeast had an 11-7 advantage in shots and a 7-3 edge in corner kicks.

After playing their first four matches at home, the Redhawks have three straight contests away from Houck Stadium beginning Friday against Western Michigan at the Northern Iowa tournament.