MOREHEAD, Ky. -- Morehead State Soccer fell to Southern Indiana 1-0 at MSU Soccer Field in Morehead, Ky., Sunday afternoon, following multiple equalizer opportunities that rattled the frame.

Morehead State finished the regular season 6-11-1, 1-5-1 in conference play, finishing eighth in the Ohio Valley Conference. 

The Eagles will travel to Southern Illinois University Edwardsville for its first round playoff game on Thursday, Nov. 5, for an 8:00 p.m. ET kickoff.

"My biggest concern before the game was that one mistake would change the game," said acting Head Coach Brett Ekperuoh. "I said prior to the game that the first goal would probably win the game. I believe we had the better chance and we just didn't capitalize. I think the girls worked very hard. We didn't come out with what we were hoping for, but we're ready to get our revenge against SIUE."

The Eagles and Screaming Eagles kickoff off its regular season concluding game at 2:00 p.m. ET.

The Eagles were led by Assistant Coach Ekperuoh in result of Head Coach Paul Cox's one-game suspension. 

Faith Peper attempted two shots within the first seven minutes, with her first shot being saved by USI goalkeeper Merrick Schwalbach. 

Southern Indiana's Josie Pochocki responded with a shot of her own in the eighth minute, but Amira Hendrick recorded her first save of the contest. 

In the 22nd minute, Peper crossed a ball to Ashton Lynam in space. Lynam was left one on one with the USI keeper, but her shot sailed high and the game remained scoreless.

Natalie Lentine had took a deep shot in the in the 36th minute, but Schwalbach made a diving save to push the ball out of harms way.

Morehead State created a corner kick just one minute before halftime. Charlotte Lee crossed the ball into the box for Kendall Anderson, but her header went straight down and bounced in front of Schwalbach who recorded the save, keeping the game scoreless heading into halftime. 

Coming out of halftime, Jade Walton attempted a shot in the 50th minute off her left foot, but her shot whistled to Schwalbach who recorded the save.

Southern Indiana's Brylee Patterson attempted a point blank shot near the right post, but her spinning attempt was saved by Hendrick.

In the 53rd minute, Peper played a ball back to Keara Chaffee at the penalty arc. Chaffee's kick sailed just high, smacking the crossbar and bouncing over the goal.

Pochocki had a chance to score for USI in the 64th minute, but good defense from Hannah Carter aided a soft kick that Hendrick saved. 

The Screaming Eagles created a corner kick in the 64th minute. Shea Krakowski took the corner, launching it into the box for Pochocki to sink a flicking header in the back right of the goal for the USI score. 

USI created another corner kick in the 65th minute. This time, Emma Schut's header hit off the crossbar and the game remained 1-0.

In the 75th minute, Peper found a loose ball in the box, but her shot whistled into the crossbar, once again denying an Eagles score.

Gaia Fubelli got in on the high shooting afternoon in the 77th minute, but her shot bounced in front of Schwalbach who recorded the save.

Walton took a shot just one minute after Fubelli's, but her shot was lightly touched for Schwalbach to record the save.

The Screaming Eagles were whistled for a foul in the 80th minute. Lee took the free kick, attempting a shot that was saved by Schwalbach. 

USI pushed the offensive tempo immediately following Lee's shot, with Anna Depenbrock launching a shot in stride for Hendrick to record the save.

Southern Indiana was whistled for another foul in the 86th minute, aiding another Lee free kick that sailed just over the net. 

In the 87th minute, Chaffee passed the ball up field for Peper in stride. A Screaming Eagles defender misplayed the ball to Schwalbach, who was caught out of position. Peper attempted a shot to the back left post that was wide open from the mispositioned Schwalback, but her shot heartbreakingly hit the left post and bounced away from the goal.

The Eagles rebounded the miss well, playing it back towards midfield. Lee attempted a desperation shot but her shot was saved by Schwalbach. 

MSU had one final opportunity to score in the final minute, but Walton's shot was blocked and Southern Indiana held on to defeat Morehead State 1-0.

There were seven combined shot attempts in the final 10 minutes of the contest, and 11 combined shot attempts in the final 15 minutes.

Southern Indiana improved to 3-9-6 (2-2-3), finishing sixth in the conference and created a home playoff game against Western Illinois. 

In a game that featured 30 shots, Morehead State led 18-12 in the category. Schwalbach made nine saved, compared to Hendrick's six. Each team was credited with six saves, while USI led in fouls, 13-10. 

As previously stated, this was the final regular season contest of the 2026 season, and the Eagles will travel to Edwardsville, Ill., for its first-round playoff game against SIUE on Thursday, Nov. 5, at 8:00 p.m. ET.