MOREHEAD – Well, that was quick. The momentum from the fast start to the Morehead State soccer team's season appeared to have evaporated on Thursday night in Fairborn, Ohio.
Wright State just seems to have the Eagles' number. At the Alumni Field at Rinzler Student Sports Complex in MSU's fifth road game of the season, that number was three.
In WSU's home opener, the Raiders defeated the Eagles 3-0. It was the largest defeat for the Blue and Gold since dropping a 5-0 decision to top-ranked Florida State in the opening round of the 2023 NCAA Tournament and was the team's second shutout of the season.
The result ended MSU's three-game win streak and dropped the team's road mark to 2-2-1 on the year and 5-3-1 in its last nine outings away from home. It also likely means the Eagles' stay in the United Soccer Coaches' South Region rankings will be only one week.
Wright State (2-3-0), which has now won two straight games over Ohio Valley Conference opponents, extended its home unbeaten streak to seven and improved to 13-1-1 all-time against Morehead State (3-2-1), including a 6-1 mark at home.
Eagle coach Paul Cox admitted his team hurt itself.
"A humbling result for sure, we were punished on three mistakes and couldn't convert our chances," he said. "It's a learning moment for us. We are looking for a solid reaction going into Sunday."
It did not take long for Wright State to get on the board as the hosts picked up an unassisted goal by Olivia Stroud in the ninth minute, ending MSU's shutout string at 274 minutes and 13 seconds.
Nine minutes and 24 seconds later, the Raiders extended their lead to 2-0 after a pass from Stroud to Caitlin Burger resulted in another goal.
At halftime, the Raiders held an 8-2 edge in shots and the Eagles did not even take one corner kick.
Things improved in the second half in most categories except the score. WSU got its third goal in the 51st minute off a pass from Ruby Dunlevy to Stroud, who again scored the goal and contributed on all three scores of the night.
The Eagles put together more offensive attacks in the second half, which resulted in six shots and four corner kicks. In the end, Wright State finished with a 16-8 advantage in shots and a 5-4 edge in corner kicks. MSU committed its fewest fouls of the season with three (to WSU's six). Morehead State was flagged for being offside a season-high five times, nearly doubling its previous high mark.
The hosts took nine shots on goal to Morehead State's five, had possession of the ball for 55 percent of the game and spent 52 percent of its time with the ball in the MSU side of the field. Conversely, the Eagles were on the attack in WSU's half of the pitch for 55 percent of the time.
One positive note, the Eagles did not get a single yellow card for the first time in 2024. MSU is tied for fifth in Division I with 10.
The Baquero sisters accounted for nearly two-thirds of the team's shots. Junior midfielder
Kennedy Baquero had three and junior midfielder
Kamryn Baquero chipped in two. Sophomore forward
Hedda Ornberg also added two. Dunlevy had three to lead Wright State. Five other Raiders had two.
OVC Goalkeeper of the Week
Claire Cress went the distance and took the loss, falling to 3-2-1. The freshman finished with a season high of six saves. As they did last year, Kiera Sarka and Erin Barker shared time in the WSU net with each playing 45 minutes. Sarka started, made one save and earned the win. Baker ended with three saves.
After playing five of their first six games on the road, the Eagles will finally come home for their next contest, hosting another Horizon League foe, Northern Kentucky, on Sunday at 1 p.m. It will be Family Weekend Sunday Funday.
