Racers Clinch OVC Title With Win Over SIUE

Friday, October 23

Cutchin Field

3 p.m.

Murray State

12-4 (8-0OVC)

SIUE

5-9-3 (2-5-1OVC)

SIUE

Murray St.

10/23/2015 5:50:00 PM | Women's Soccer

Box Score

The Murray State women's soccer team won its first OVC regular season title since 2008 by defeating SIUE, 2-0, Friday at Cutchin Field in Murray. Marissa Burroughs and Taylor Richerson each had a goal in the match.

The title is the second regular season championship for Murray State and the third title overall. In just his second year as a head coach, Jeremy Groves has led his team to the best start in OVC play in school history, the most consecutive wins in program history, and has now tied a program best for wins in a season at twelve.

It was a slow first half for both teams on offense with the Racers taking three shots and the Cougars only taking one. In the 43^rd minute, Burroughs broke the stalemate and found the back of the net, to give the Racers the 1-0 advantage. Taylor Stevens and Cori Cain set up the goal by finding the senior out in front, allowing Burroughs to beat the keeper and give the Racers the lead headed into halftime.

Coming out of the half, the Racers wasted no time adding an insurance goal. In the 56^th minute, Destiny White found Richerson out in front of the pack, allowing Richerson to beat the defender, then the goalie to give the Racers a 2-0 lead.

MSU would fight off SIUE for the rest of the second half as the Racers were outshot, 9-6. However, in the end, the Racers came out with a 2-0 win and the OVC title.

Caroline Ashton, Stevens, and Burroughs would lead Murray State's on offense, with each taking two shots each. Burroughs goal was her fourth of the season, while Richerson scored her sixth. Goalkeeper Alex Steigerwald notched another shutout, her fourth of the season, as she played all 90 minutes and stopped six shots

With the win, the Racers clinched first place outright in the OVC standings, giving Murray State the right to host the OVC tournament semifinal and championship rounds on Nov. 6 and 8.

Murray State now turns its attention to Sunday, when it hosts Eastern Illinois at 1 p.m.. The Racers will be honoring their four seniors at the conclusion of the match. Live coverage will be available courtesy of the OVC Digital Network.