MOREHEAD, Ky. – Freshman defender
Addison Petry's first career goal catapulted the Morehead State women's soccer team to a 1-0 Senior Day win over Western Illinois on Sunday at the MSU Soccer Field in Morehead, Ky. The victory snapped a three-game skid for the Blue and Gold and marked the fourth straight year in which the team won its Ohio Valley Conference opener.
Morehead State (3-7-0/1-0-0) made some formational changes from previous contests and the moves appeared to pay off.
It was Senior Day for the Eagles as they honored midfielders
Kamryn Baquero,
Kennedy Baquero and
Karissa Vela.
With the win, MSU evened out its home record this season at 3-3. The Blue and Gold also ended a dubious streak of having gone winless over the last two years having a week off between games. The team now sits 1-3-2 in those contests. All three of the team's victories this season have been shutouts.
Western Illinois (1-10-0/0-1-0) dropped its 10th straight game since winning the season opener and its eighth in a row away from home. On the season, the Leathernecks have been outscored 41-4.
Morehead State put up a season-high 28 shots, but only Petry's found the back of the net.
The goal came at 37:44 after a corner kick from the left side by freshman midfielder
Hailey Repreza that she lofted and fell short of the left post. The ball bounces off a defender and onto the ground, where Petry kicks it on the ground between a pair of defenders from seven yards that goes to the left of WIU goalkeeper Lillian Johns.
Both teams had additional quality chances to get on the board but saves by Johns and MSU's
Claire Cress kept the game at just one goal.
In addition to their lead in shots, the hosts also held a 5-3 advantage in corner kicks and made fewer fouls (7 to 10). The Eagles had the game's lone offside call, while WIU received the only card.
MSU sophomore forward
Ava Peck had a game and team-season high six shots for the Blue and Gold. Three others had three and a total of eight had multiple attempts.
Abigail Schilling and Hattie Mourning each had two shots to lead the Leathernecks.
Johns made 11 saves in net for WIU. Cress was credited with four saves, while the Eagles also had two team saves.
MSU had a 52-48 edge in possession, with the Eagles on the attack in the Leathernecks' defensive zone for 62 percent of their time with the ball. Conversely, the visitors had the ball on Morehead State's side of the field for 36 percent of their possession time.
It was just the fourth meeting between the two teams, and the Eagles now lead the series 2-1-1. MSU is 1-0-1 at home in the history between the two and has yet to be scored upon on its own field.
Morehead State continues its alternating home-away schedule with its next match coming on Thursday at Southern Indiana. The two foes will square off at 8:05 p.m. ET. The Blue and Gold will be back at home on Sunday, Sept. 28, when it hosts Lindenwood at 1 p.m.
