MOREHEAD, Ky. – Ashton Lynam scored the game winning goal in the 78th minute to help Morehead State take down Alabama A&M 1-0 in Huntsville, Ala., Thursday afternoon at the AAMU Soccer Field.

"I thought we started the game strongly but then the excessive heat really took its toll, it slowed the game right down and affected the quality from both sides," said Head Coach Paul Cox. "I joked with Brett (Ekperuoh) that if this game was being played in my back yard, I would close the curtains and turn the radio on. But the message to our team was clear at the final water break, championship-caliber teams find a way to win these games and the girls did that. I'm very proud of their resilience. I'd also like to thank the cross country team who came to watch the second half and got us over the line!"

Morehead State and Alabama A&M kicked off at 2:00 P.M. ET. with field temperatures up around 105 degrees. 

The Eagles controlled the tempo for much of the first half, forcing the ball into the Bulldogs defensive side of the field 69% of the time.

MSU senior Hannah Burke recorded two shots on goal within the first 15 minutes of the contest, one saved by the Bulldogs keeper Adriana Durango, and the other credited as a team save,

Morehead State held Alabama A&M in check offensively for the entire first half, only allowing one shot in the 36th minute which was saved by the Eagle keeper, Allie Lammers. 

Sophomore Hailey Repreza had a big opportunity to score in the 43rd minute, just before halftime, when her free kick was tipped over the crossbar by Durango, keeping the score tied 0-0 heading into the break.

Coming out of halftime, the tempo remained the same, a few shots here and there but none of which found the back of the net. 

The game finally tilted in the 78th minute when Eagle sophomore Faith Peper played a left-footed cross along the ground into the six-yard box, where junior Ashton Lynam was waiting at the back post to tap it in and give the Eagles a 1-0 lead. Lynam scored her first goal as an Eagle and Peper recorded her first career assist. 

"When Faith got the ball out wide, I knew a service was coming," said Lynam. "I just made sure to be inside the frame of the goal to put one away for us. It felt great to do my part to put the team on top today. Such a great first goal to have as an Eagle!"

Lynam is now the 10th different goal scorer for the Eagles this season, marking the first time since 2023 that Morehead State has had 10 or more different goal scorers in a season.

Following the goal, the Eagles were commended by Cox for playing it into the corner and controlling the tempo until the clock eventually ran out, giving Morehead State its first road victory of the season, and the first road win since 11/3/24, ending a 14-game road winless stretch.

In its entirety, MSU led in shots, 12-4, and corner kicks, 6-2. Alabama A&M finished with six saves, compared to three for the Eagles. With the victory, Morehead State improves to 5-5 on the season, while the Bulldogs fall to 1-4-2.

The hosts finished with 7 fouls, to a season-low three for the Blue and Gold. Both teams were flagged for being offside twice. Four yellow cards were issued in the contest, three of which were assessed to AAMU.

Four Eagles had two shots to top the visitors. The Bulldogs' four shots came from different individuals.

MSU notched its fifth non-conference win of the season, marking the program's most since 2014 and its highest total since 2000.

Morehead State will play its final non-conference match of the season on Sunday, when the Eagles take on Bellarmine in Louisville, Ky.