GAME NOTES | 2010 OVC SOCCER TOURNAMENT CENTRAL
MOREHEAD, Ky. – The Eagle soccer team will face No. 4 Eastern Illinois tonight in the first semifinal game of the 2010 Ohio Valley Conference Soccer Tournament in Jayne Stadium. Match time is slated for 5 p.m. Morehead State is the tournament’s number one seed and will be the designated home team throughout the tournament.
Up front the Eagles are led by 2010 OVC Offensive Player of the Year, senior forward
Erin Adams, who leads the conference in goals scored (12), points (25), and shots (65). Adams is also ranked 27th in the nation in goals scored. The potent MSU offense doesn’t end with Adams, as fellow senior forward
Giuleana Lopez is second on the team in goals with six. Lopez was named All-OVC Second Team and is fourth in the conference in points with 18. Junior forward
Jillian Birchmeier and sophomore forward
Sam Toepfer also contribute to a strong Eagle offense. Birchmeier is second on the team with five assists and Toepfer leads the team in game winning goals with three.
The Eagle defense is a big reason why the Eagles have enjoyed so much success this season. Defensively MSU only gave up two goals in OVC play, while limiting conference opponents to only 18 shots on goal. Anchoring the Eagle defense is OVC Defensive Player of the Year
Micaela Hornstein. Hornstein has played 1,467 minutes this season and has started in 17 games. Junior defender
Sarah Phillip has also made a big impact and will be relied upon heavily throughout the tournament. Junior midfielders
Brittany Kiracofe and
Stephanie Gildehaus have done a great job of controlling the middle of the pitch this season creating numerous scoring opportunities and busting up opposing attacks.
In goal for the Eagles is senior goalkeeper
Lily Meisner, considered one of the most prolific goalkeepers in Eagle history. Meisner has the most career wins at MSU with 24 and also has the most wins in one season which is currently at 11. The Taos, N.M., native has saved 57 balls this year and has posted seven shutouts, six coming against conference foes.
The Eastern Illinois Panthers (7-8-5) come into the match off an OVC quarterfinal win over Eastern Kentucky 2-1. The Panthers are led by Kristin Germann, who leads the team with six goals, and Ashley Streid, who hit the game winner over EKU. In goal for the Panthers will be Jessica Taldone who is 1-1-0 on the season with her win coming in the quarterfinal game against EKU.
The Eagles are currently riding a five game win streak and a nine game unbeaten streak which are both the longest in school history.
If the Eagles win they will advance to the 2010 OVC Soccer Championship on Sunday Nov. 7 in Jayne Stadium. Match time is scheduled for 1 p.m. The winner of the OVC Championship will advance to the NCAA tournament which starts Friday Nov. 12.
