MOREHEAD – Morehead State soccer got career highs from junior midfielder
Kennedy Baquero and freshman goalkeeper
Lilly Bailey as the Eagles ended Thursday's home game with Radford in a 1-1 tie. It was the second consecutive outing the Blue and Gold finished even with its opponent.
Baquero recorded six shots and had the team's lone goal, while Bailey registered six saves and went the distance in the Eagle net as MSU improved to 1-1-1 at the MSU Soccer Field this fall.
The Highlanders, who won the Big South Conference Tournament title last season, had defeated the Eagles 6-1 and 5-1 in two previous meetings. Thursday marked just the third time in nine games that Radford (5-2-2) failed to score at least two goals.
RU is 2-1-1 on the road this season and is undefeated in its last three outings.
Neither team generated much of an attack in the first half as the two combined to take seven shots with just three total on net. The two sides ratcheted up their offense in the final 45 minutes as each scored once and combined to take 17 shots.
Morehead State (3-3-3) began the scoring when Baquero collected a rebound off her own shot and then lofted it over the goalkeeper's head toward the left post from 15 yards out on the right side. The unassisted play happened 16 minutes and 43 seconds into the second half.
The Eagles looked like they had the game under control until Paige Olson's cross from the right sideline found Eileen Albers a few yards in front of the net and Albers' ensuing header produced the tying goal. The score came at the 81:11 mark.
Radford had a chance to take the lead in the final minutes as June Stevens nearly went down in the box, but a hand ball on Radford was called on the play, nullifying the opportunity.
Junior defender
Gracen Houck also helped prevent another late game-winning score by clearing a free ball off the goal line. Since it did not come off a shot, no team save was awarded.
Watch coach Paul Cox talk about the game on MSU's YouTube channel.
The game was virtually statistically even. Both teams recorded 12 shots, with seven coming on goal, took four corner kicks, were whistled for four fouls and made six saves. The one difference came in offside flags, of which MSU drew three and Radford two.
In addition to Baquero's six shots, sophomore midfielder
Mary Trudeau, sophomore forward
Hedda Ornberg and freshman forward
Carly Gilbert each notched a pair.
Bailey went the distance for the second straight game and collected nearly as many saves as she had in all her previous outings to date (nine). She had to make several dramatic diving plays to keep the visitors from scoring, before allowing the tying goal on Radford's ninth shot of the afternoon.
Watch Dean Hardin and Bailey discuss Thursday's game on MSU's YouTube channel.
Jordan Phillips and Lexi Radvanyi shared time in RU's net. Phillips started and was credited with two saves. Radvanyi began the second half, surrendered the goal, but made four saves.
The Highlanders held control of the ball for 60 percent of the game, but more than half of it came on their side of the field. MSU had possession on offense and defense equally in the game.
Morehead State will close out its season-high two-game home stand on Sunday when it entertains Eastern Illinois in the Ohio Valley Conference opener for both clubs. Kickoff for that game is 1 p.m.
