Morehead, Ky. – The Morehead State Soccer team will play its final two games of the regular season this weekend as they host Southeast Missouri State Friday night and Eastern Illinois Sunday afternoon.
THE OVC RACE: After defeating Murray State and UT Martin last weekend, Morehead State sits atop the Ohio Valley Conference standings with a record of 4-0-2, good for 14 points. They hold a 2 point lead over second place UT Martin, a three point lead over Tennessee Tech and a four point lead over Murray State. MSU can clinch their first ever regular season conference title with two victories this weekend, while a win and a tie would clinch at least a share of the crown. Teams are awarded three points for a conference win and one point for a tie.
HOMECOOKIN’: If Morehead State can clinch the OVC regular season title this weekend they will receive the number one seed in the OVC tournament. The Eagles will also earn the right to host the tournament at Jayne Stadium. The tournament is scheduled for Nov. 5-6, 8.
SENIOR NIGHT: Friday's match will serve as Senior Night for Morehead State. Seniors
Lindsay Stefanini,
Lauren Seebach,
Bethany Davidson, and
Bridget Gomillion will be honored before the match.
ABOUT THE EAGLES: Morehead State enters the weekend with an overall record of 7-6-3 and an OVC record of 4-0-2. The Eagles are coming off two huge road victories over Murray State and UT Martin. MSU first defeated Murray State 2-1 Friday night behind a goal and an assist from
Brittany Kiracofe.
Erin Adams scored the game-winner just before halftime. The Eagles then claimed a thrilling come-from-behind 3-2 victory over UT Martin. Trailing 2-0 with just 15 minutes left in the contest, MSU got two goals from
Sarah Phillip and the game-winner from
Lauren Seebach in just over 12 minutes of play to down the Skyhawks.
BACK OF THE OLD ONIONBAG: Morehead State’s tandem of sophomore forwards
Devan Jordan and
Jillian Birchmeier have been scorching the nets this season. Jordan and Birchmeier both have netted five goals and an assist this season to lead the Eagles in scoring. The duo ranks in a tie for second in the conference for goals scored, just one tally behind Jacksonville State’s Amber DeLaney.
THE WALL: Junior
Lily Meisner has been the mainstay in net this season for Morehead State. Meisner has played all but 16 minutes in net for the Eagles on the year. She has racked up four shutouts and has recorded 64 saves. Meisner has been named the OVC Goalkeeper of the Week twice this season (9-15, 10-13).
DOUBLE P.O.W.: Two Eagles were honored with OVC weekly awards for their efforts in last weekend’s victories over Murray State and UT Martin.
Sarah Phillip was named Offensive Player of the Week after scoring the first two goals of MSU’s 3-2 comeback victory over UT Martin on Sunday. The scores were the first goals of the sophomore’s career.
Brittany Kiracofe was honored as the Defensive Player of the Week. Kiracofe scored the opening goal and assisted on
Erin Adams game-winner in Friday’s 2-1 victory over Murray State. The Ottawa, Ohio native’s three points in the contest was a career-high.
SCOUTING SEMO: SEMO enters Friday’s night match with an overall record of 7-5-2 and an OVC mark of 2-1-2. The Redhawks are led offensively by Bobbi Jo Schlick and Ashley Runion. Schlick has tallied five goals and an assist while Runion has registered four goals and three assists on the season. Kristen Starkey is the main goalkeeper for SEMO and has played in 12 games while starting 11. Starkey holds a record of 6-3-2 and has an OVC high six shutouts.
THE SERIES WITH THE REDHAWKS: Friday’s match is the 13th matchup between SEMO and Morehead State. MSU holds just a 2-8-2 record against the Redhawks. The last meeting between the two programs saw
Lily Meisner make five saves and record a shutout in 0-0 double overtime tie.
SCOUTING EASTERN ILLINOIS: The Panthers enter the weekend with a record of 6-5-5 and a 2-1-2 OVC mark. Rachel Hamilton and Ashley Streid lead the EIU offensive attack. Hamilton has recorded three goals and an OVC-high five assists. Streid leads the Panthers with four goals and has also added three assists this season. Kaylin Lorbert and Jenny Williams have split time in goal this season with Lorbert playing slightly more minutes. Lorbert has recorded 38 saves and Williams has stopped 28 shots.
THE SERIES WITH THE PANTHERS: Sunday’s match will be the 15th meeting between the Panthers and the Eagles. EIU holds the edge in the series having won ten of the contests. MSU has taken three matches and there has been one tie. MSU defeated the Panthers in the first round of the OVC tournament a year ago.
Lindsay Stefanini scored the game-winner in the match in the 80th minute.