MOREHEAD, Ky. – The Morehead State women's soccer team's woes continued Thursday as it dropped a 2-0 home game to UT Martin at the MSU Soccer Field in Morehead. It was the Eagles' sixth consecutive defeat, its longest skid since dropping eight straight early in the 2018 campaign.
Morehead State also fell to 3-6 on its own field this season, suffering its third defeat in a row there. The Skyhawks snapped a four-game winless streak by picking up their first victory since toppling Lindenwood on the road on September 25.
The outcome could play a significant role in determining which teams make the Ohio Valley Conference Tournament as both entered the afternoon lying on either side of the fringes of the field.
Unfortunately, it was déjà vu for the Blue and Gold as its surrendered two goals to a team that had only scored eight times this season prior to the matchup.
UT Martin (2-7-7/2-3-2) took advantage of its opportunities, scoring on two of its five shots on goal.
Morehead State (3-13-0/1-6-0) had some chances early, including a header from junior midfielder/defender
Hannah Carter off a corner kick in the fifth minute and then a 20-foot attempt by senior midfielder
Kennedy Baquero that sailed high over the crossbar in the 22nd.
MSU's best chance at a goal came in the 34th minute when senior midfielder
Kamryn Baquero had a shot from six yards out that UTM goalkeeper Mac Titus made a leg-splitting kick save to stop.
The opening score came at 20:51, when Addy McCleary crossed the ball from the left corner to the far post and Abbie McHenry ran onto it, kicking it in the net from just yards off the line.
The visitors had six corner kicks in the opening 45 minutes and had the ball for 53 percent of the first half. But the shot total was relatively even at seven for the Skyhawks and six for the Eagles.
The second goal came after Peyton Cook intercepted a pass in the MSU defensive end, dribbled down to the 12-yard mark and shot it past a pair of defenders to the right corner of the goal at 81:39 for the unassisted score.
Graduate student midfielder
Karissa Vela had a header off a corner kick that Titus saved in the 77th minute. Titus also stopped a shot by
Kennedy Baquero earlier in the half (55th minute). The two plays marked the Eagles' best chances to score in the final 45 minutes.
The second half stats were largely even. Both teams took six shots and committed three fouls. The visitors had one extra corner kick (3-2) and two additional saves (4-2).
UT Martin finished with a 13-12 edge in shots and a 9-3 advantage in corner kicks. However, with its 12 shots, MSU continued its stretch of games with double-digit shots to nine.
Morehead State finished with more fouls (8-5), while the Skyhawks had eight saves to three for the Eagles. For the first time in an MSU game all year, neither team was flagged for being offside. UTM received the lone card awarded.
Freshman forward
Jade Walton led the Eagles with three shots, all of which were on goal. Both Baquero sisters each recorded two.
Cook topped the visitors with three shots, two of which were on frame. Three other Skyhawks had two shots.
MSU redshirt sophomore goalkeeper
Sofia Rodriguez made three saves but fell to 0-3-0 with the loss. Titus made eight saves and improved to 2-5-7 with the win.
Morehead State held possession of the ball for 53 percent of the afternoon and was on the attack for 47 percent of its time with the ball. UT Martin held the ball in the MSU defensive end for 47 percent of its possession time.
Coupled with the rest of the day's results, Morehead State now needs to win both of its remaining games to qualify for the OVC Tournament.
The Eagles go on the road one final time in the regular season as they face SIU Edwardsville on Sunday at 4 p.m. ET. The Blue and Gold conclude play at home by hosting Southeast Missouri the following Sunday at 2 p.m.
