MOREHEAD, Ky. – The Morehead State soccer team will open Ohio Valley Conference play Friday night traveling to Clarksville, Tenn. to face Austin Peay. The Eagles then return to the friendly confines of Jayne Stadium Sunday afternoon for a non-conference tilt against Illinois State.
MSU enters the weekend with a record of 3-5-1. The Eagles are coming off a 2-1 loss at Ohio University last Friday.
Jillian Birchmeier scored her team-leading fifth goal of the season and
Lily Meisner recorded six saves to lead MSU.
SCOUTING AUSTIN PEAY: APSU brings a 1-7-1 record into Friday’s match. The Lady Govs lone win on the season was a 2-0 victory over Cumberland University. APSU is also coming off losses versus Middle Tennessee (0-5) and Chattanooga (3-4) last weekend. Kellie Cannon leads the Lady Govs offensively with two goals on the season while Carley Newman has played the majority of time in goal for head coach Kelley Guth. Morehead State leads the all-time series versus Austin Peay 3-2-2. The Eagles and the Lady Govs fought to a 1-1 tie a season ago.
Julie Arnold scored the game-tying goal in that contest. The match is set to kickoff at 8 p.m. Eastern.
OVC OPENERS: Since Morehead State’s soccer program was restarted in 1998, the Eagles have struggled in Ohio Valley Conference openers holding a record of just 3-8. MSU did open the 2008 OVC schedule with a win, defeating Eastern Kentucky on the road 3-2 in overtime.
Bethany Davidson netted the game winner.
SCOUTING ILLINOIS STATE: The Redbirds are 2-5-1 on the 2009 season and are coming off a weekend where they picked up a win over OVC member Eastern Illinois Friday before losing to DePaul on Sunday. ISU’s top scorer is Jessica Carlson who has tallied three goals and an assist for seven points this season. Sasha Reiber has been the mainstay in net for head coach Drew Roff, playing all but one half this season. The Redbirds lead the all-time series versus MSU, having won both previous matches. Last season, MSU dropped a 2-1 decision in a game played at ISU. Kickoff for Sunday’s match is slated for 1 p.m.
FUTURE EAGLES?: Jayne Stadium will host the youngsters from the Morehead Youth Soccer League for Sunday’s game. Young athletes ranging in age from preschool to second grade will be rooting on the Eagles as they battle the Redbirds of Illinois State.
MATCH COVERAGE: Both matches this weekend will be streamed live on ovcsports.tv.
