Late Goal Pushes Racers into OVC Championship

Friday, November 6

Cutchin Field

2 p.m.

Murray State

15-4

Morehead State

9-11-2

Morehead St.

Murray St.

Photo by: Dave Winder-Murray State Athletics

11/6/2015 5:18:00 PM | Women's Soccer

Box Score

The Murray State women's soccer team won a thriller on Friday as they defeated Morehead State 2-1 in the Ohio Valley Conference Championship semifinals at Cutchin Field in Murray, Ky.

Sophomore Harriet Withers had both goals, including the game-winner with 31 seconds left in the match.

The win vaults the Racers (15-4) into Sunday's title match at 1 p.m. against Southeast Missouri. The Redhawks defeated Tennessee Tech in the other semifinal 2-0.

It was a tough battle for both teams in the first half. The Racers came out strong on offense, as they took eight shots early, but weren't able to find the back of the net for a score. Luckily for Murray State, Morehead State couldn't convert any shots either. Both teams would head to the locker room at halftime scoreless.

In the second half, the Racers got on the board first. In the 57th minute, Aaron Lankster found Taylor Richerson out in front. Richerson hit Withers with a pass eight yards out and she nailed the shot into the upper left corner to give Murray State the 1-0 lead.

Morehead State fought its way back and tied the game in the 78th minute. The Eagles were awarded a free kick and Teig Palmateer assisted Samantha Damante. She shot the ball past a diving Alex Steigerwald to score the equalizing goal.

Coming down the stretch the Racers found their way into trouble. In the 89th minute, a foul called on the Racers gave Morehead State a free kick in front of the Racers goal. But Palmateer of Morehead State sailed her kick over the crossbar.

With less than a minute to play, Steigerwald sent a high goal kick to midfield. Withers gathered the ball off a bounce along the bench side of the field and took off for the Morehead State goal. Withers slipped past a defender and beat the Eagle's keeper with low shot for the game winning goal with 31 seconds left in the match.

The goal would stand as the Racers defeated Morehead State 2-1.

The win sets the Racers up for their first OVC Championship game appearance since 2009 when they defeated Tennessee Tech 4-0 at Morehead State.

Richerson led the Racers in shot attempts with four, while Withers scored twice on three attempts. Murray State outshot the Morehead State 16-6 and didn't allow a single shot on goal for the Eagles.

The Racers move on to face Southeast Missouri in the OVC Soccer Championship match on Sunday at 1 p.m. The winner of that match will receive an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.

Live Stats for the match will be available on goracers.com. Live streaming for the match will be available courtesy of the OVC Digital Network.