MOREHEAD, Ky. – The Morehead State women's soccer team kept Southeast Missouri off the scoreboard on Sunday at the MSU Soccer Field, extending the Redhawks' scoreless streak to 382 minutes and 54 seconds, but it was not enough to keep the Eagles' season alive as the teams finished tied 0-0.
It was the second straight 0-0 outcome for the Blue and Gold. Morehead State (3-13-2/1-6-2) needed a win to secure its fifth consecutive appearance to the Ohio Valley Conference Tournament, whereas Southeast Missouri (2-14-2/2-5-2) just needed to avoid a loss.
MSU completed its campaign going unbeaten in its final two outings, its longest such streak of the season. The Eagles also ended with a 3-7 mark at home. Morehead State was outscored 37-8 this fall, tallying the fewest goals in a non-Covid season in school history. It also finished with three or fewer wins for the first time since 2017.
Neither team provided many quality scoring chances with just five total shots on goal.
MSU had two prime opportunities, one in each half.
The first came off a corner kick when graduate student midfielder
Karissa Vela headed the ball off the crossbar in the 14th minute.
With just over 31 minutes remaining in the contest, freshman defender/forward
Faith Peper was taken down just outside of the penalty box, resulting in a 20-yard free kick. However, senior midfielder
Kennedy Baquero's shot was batted away by Redhawk goalkeeper Madison Geisler and the Eagles were unable to get off another attempt on frame.
Southeast Missouri had its best chance with about three and a half minutes left in the first half when Zoe Houston's header sailed just over the crossbar.
The Blue and Gold extended its unbeaten streak against SEMO to five straight games and is now 4-6-5 all-time against the Redhawks in Morehead.
Eagle sophomore goalkeeper
Claire Cress earned her seventh career complete-game shutout and fifth of the season. She needed to make just two saves while improving her record to 3-10-2. Geisler made three saves and raised her record to 2-9-2.
Southeast Missouri outshot the hosts 17-8, bolstered by a 10-2 advantage in the second half. SEMO also had eight corner kicks to just one for the Blue and Gold. The Redhawks also committed more fouls (10-7) and were flagged for being offside more often (2-1). Both teams received cards. SEMO was issued to yellows, while MSU picked up its first red of the year, which was issued to the team bench.
With just eight total shots, Morehead State's streak of consecutive outings with double-digit shots ended at 10.
Vela led the Eagles with three shots, while Maya Domian paced the Redhawks with four.
Both teams held possession of the ball for 50 percent of the game. MSU was on the attack for 52 percent of its possession time, while Southeast Missouri held the ball in the Eagle defensive zone for 56 percent of its time with the ball.
The outcome meant the end of three collegiate careers. Vela, and senior midfielders
Kamryn Baquero and
Kennedy Baquero each played her final game.
