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MOREHEAD, Ky. – It has been nearly 500 days but Morehead State soccer is finally back in action with a Tuesday matchup against OVC rival Murray State. The Eagles' last (regular season) game came against SIUE on October 27, 2019, in the final contest of the 2019 season.
 
The long-awaited season begins after the 2020 schedule was postponed due to the decision by the Ohio Valley Conference to push all fall sports to the spring semester. Also of note is that the 2020 season will feature a 10-game conference-only schedule with only four teams making the OVC Tournament this April.
 
Head coach Warren Lipka's squad features a relatively young team with six seniors, five juniors, 11 sophomores, and seven freshmen. "Our ladies are extremely excited to play their first match in over a year," said Lipka. "They have been working hard and deserve this chance. Right now, we are just happy to compete."
 
INSIDE THE SERIES
2019 Records: Morehead State (4-12-2; 2-6-2 OVC) | Murray State (11-8; 8-2 OVC)
Series History: Murray State Leads 13-11
Last 10 Meetings: Oct. 4, 2019 (MUR 2, MOR 1) | Oct. 19, 2018 (MUR 2, MOR 0) | Sep. 14, 2017 (MUR 1, MOR 0 [OT]) | Sep. 25, 2016 (MUR 3, MOR 2) | Nov. 6, 2015 (MUR 2, MOR 1) | Oct. 15, 2015 (MUR 2, MOR 0) | Nov. 6, 2014 (MOR 5, MUR 1) | Oct. 10, 2014 (MUR 5, MOR 0) | Oct. 20, 2013 (MOR 1, MUR 0) | Oct. 28, 2012 (MOR 2, MUR 1 [OT])
 
NOTABLE
• Morehead State opens the postponed 2020 season at home against OVC rival Murray State. In the matchup last season, Murray State claimed a 2-1 victory. Murray State leads the all-time series 13-11.
 
• Morehead State head coach Warren Lipka and Murray State head coach Matt Lodge both have ties to the University of Kentucky. Lipka worked as an assistant for the men's soccer team for the 1991 season before leading the women's squad from 1992-2008. Lodge played from 2009-12 and returned to the men's team for the 2013 season as a volunteer assistant.
 
• Junior defender Nicole Palmer was named to the 2020 OVC Soccer Preseason Player to Watch List for the second year in a row. During the 2019 campaign, Palmer led the Eagles in several categories including goals, points, shots, and shots on goal.
 
• Morehead State returns every team member that recorded a goal last season including junior Nicole Palmer who led MSU with three scores.
 
• Last season, sophomore Kayla Landman finished third in the OVC in shutouts (3), fourth in saves per game (5.5), and seventh in total saves (77).
 
• Redshirt sophomore Colleen Swift returns to the field this year after missing all of the 2019 season due to injury. As a freshman, she finished second on the team with three goals and nine points while co-leading the team with three assists to earn a spot on the OVC All-Newcomer squad.
 
• After former assistant Trip Rogers took the head job at the University of Findlay last March, graduate assistant Lauren Smith is the sole staff member left under coach Lipka. Smith is in her second season (first as an assistant coach) with the Eagles after finishing her playing career as a goalkeeper at Nebraska. 
 
• Freshmen midfielders Christa and Sidney Palla come to Morehead State after standout careers at Kiski Area HS in Apollo, Pa. The sisters represent the fifth set of twins to wear an Eagle uniform in the 22-year history of the MSU soccer program.
 
• Redshirt senior Ashley Ritchie looks to end her MSU career on a high note with 11 goals scored as an Eagle including eight in her first season. Ritchie was previously named the 2016 OVC Freshman of the Year.