MOREHEAD, Ky. – The Morehead State Soccer Eagles once again picked up another home victory, this time defeating Merchurst 2-1 at MSU Soccer Field on Thursday afternoon.

MSU has now improved to 4-3 on the season, winning four straight home soccer matches and tying its longest home winning streak since the end of 2023 and start of 2024, when the Eagles rattled off four consecutive home victories. The Eagles have also established a five-match home unbeaten streak, their longest since that 2023-24 stretch.

"Really good first half, and second half, you know, I thought we had chances to score," said Head Coach Paul Cox. "We got hit with a little bit of adversity, and that's credit to Mercyhurst. For us to stick with it, to end 2-1, I thought we managed the game brilliantly in the last five minutes, keeping the ball in the corner. Just good game management. You know, in all home games after taking the lead, we've managed it in the right ways, and the girls did a great job with that."

Today's victory marked the first win in program history over Mercyhurst.

Once again, today's kickoff was in the midst of another hot day, with game temperatures in the 90s. 

The Eagles were quick to keep the ball on their front foot, driving the ball into Mercyhurt's defensive side of the field for most of the first half. 

In the sixth minute, MSU's offensive leader Charlotte Lee launched a shot from outside the box that was blocked by a Laker defender. The ball was kicked back out by Eagles' junior Ashton Lynam, who found sophomore Natalie Lentine, who buried the shot to put the Eagles up 1-0 early.

Lentine discussed her goal, the first of her collegiate career.

"Ashton had the ball, almost on the line and all the defenders were shifted so I was open at the top of the box," she said. "She put me a good ball back and I just volleyed it in." 

"Nat's been an example for our team," said Cox. "She didn't play a great deal for our team last year, and she stepped into midfield. She deserves it; she's been fantastic. She's had a few attempts in the past few games, and it's great for her to get her first goal."

Later in the second half, Morehead State executed a beautiful combination play, leading to one of the prettiest goals of the season. Senior Molly Tapak sent the ball across the field into space for Hannah Burke, who delivered a perfectly placed cross in front of the goal for freshman Kendall Anderson to head it home, putting the Eagles up 2-0 in the 36th minute. 

Anderson's goal was also the first goal of her collegiate career, marking the seventh time an Eagle has scored their first collegiate goal this season.

"The ball from Molly to Hannah Burke was just beautiful, and then Hannah put it right on my head," said Anderson. "I just couldn't have asked for a better goal."

Anderson was asked if it was as wide open as it looked from the sidelines. She responded, "Yeah, pretty much," she said with a laugh. "It was a great ball, and she found me in a great spot, and I'm really happy about that."

"I spoke to Burke after she came back from her concussion and before she went in and said, 'You'll be getting plenty of opportunities to put balls in the box,'" said Cox. "I said, 'You'll more than likely be in there with Kendall,' and she put it right on her head—a proper striker's header. The keeper was moving her feet one way, and she headed it back where it came from. It was a great goal."

Burke's assist is now her ninth career assist as an Eagle, putting her in sole possession of ninth place in program history.

The Eagles took their 2-0 lead into halftime, dominating possession in the first half and keeping the ball on Mercyhurst's defensive side of the field for 73% of the time.

The Lakers pushed the pace in the second half and looked like a rejuvenated offense. 

In the 54th minute, Mercyhurst midfielder Julia Bullock found the ball in a one-on-one, juked an Eagle defender and launched a shot from outside the box. Eagle keeper Allie Lammers made an incredible save, jumping as high as possible to deflect the ball over the goal.

The Lakers continued to push the tempo, finding the back of the net about seven minutes later in the 61st minute, thanks to a goal from Jenna Popowski. Lammers challenged Popowski at the top of the box creating a minor collision, but Popowski's ball bounced in Mercyhurst's favor, slowly trickling into the net for a Laker score.

Mercyhurst's goal stopped MSU's home shutout streak at 430 minutes and 15 seconds.

The Eagles would hold their lead for the remainder of the game, improving to 4-3 while dropping the Lakers to 1-5.

Morehead State led in shots, 17-5, while Mercyhurst held the advantage in shots on goal, 6-5. MSU also led in corner kicks, 5-4, and saves, 4-3.

The Eagles will be back in action on Sunday, welcoming Chattanooga to their home turf for a 1 p.m kickoff. This will be third of four straight home games, the longest home stand in nine seasons and second longest in program history.

Sunday is Sundae Sunday, giving fans the special opportunity to create their own ice cream sundae with a variety of delicious toppings while enjoying the action at the pitch.