Overtime Goal Sends Racers to NCAA Tournament

Sunday, November 8

Cutchin Field

1 p.m.

Murray State

16-4

Southeast Missouri

9-8-7

OT 2

Southeast Mo. St.

Murray St.

Photo by: Dave Winder-Murray State Athletics

11/8/2015 4:54:00 PM | Women's Soccer

Box Score

It was a match to remember for the Racers, as the Murray State women's socccer team won its first OVC Tournament championship since 2009 with a 1-0 overtime victory against Southeast Missouri Sunday at Cutchin Field in Murray. Taylor Richerson scored the game-winning goal in the 100^th minute to give MSU the win.

It was a hard fought battle between the Racers and Redhawks. Murray State outshot SEMO 8-2 in the first half with several different Racers taking shots at the goal including defenders Nyomi Devine and Ali Critcher. Yet, the Racers went into halftime in a scoreless tie with the Redhawks.

Coming out of the half, the Racers came out aggressive on offense as they again outshot SEMO, this time 6-1. Yet, no goal would be scored by either team which would send the match to overtime.

The Redhawks started overtime with a bang, taking a shot ten seconds into the period. Freshman goalkeeper Alex Steigerwald made a diving save to keep the Racers post-season dreams alive. That would be the only shot SEMO would take in overtime.

In the 100^th minute, Taylor Stevens passed the ball to Harriet Withers who was able to find Richerson inside the box. Richerson took a shot towards the inside post that beat the keeper and gave MSU the 1-0 victory.

The goal was Richerson's eighth goal of the season and her second game-winning goal in overtime for the Racers this season. Marissa Burroughs led the Racers in shots with four, while Alex Steigerwald recorded her fifth shutout and had three saves in the match.

Murray State placed four players on the OVC All-Tournament team for their efforts against Southeast Missouri as well as in their previous match against Morehead State, Devine, Critcher, Burroughs, and Richerson all were awarded the honor. Richerson was also named tournament MVP.

With the victory the Racers move to 16-4 on the season with a 12-0 record against OVC opponents, while SEMO finishes its season 9-8-7. Sunday's title is the second OVC Tournament title in program history with the last coming in 2009. With the win, the Racers will receive the Ohio Valley Conference's automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.

The 2015 NCAA Division I Women's Soccer Championship selection show will air tomorrow at 3:30 p.m. There will be a watch party in the Murray Room at the CFSB Center that is open to the public.