Nov. 1, 2009

MURRAY, Ky. - Brittany Bodziak scored with less than three minutes to play Sunday as Southern Illinois University Edwardsville closed out the 2009 women's soccer season with a 2-1 road victory at Murray State.

Bodziak's goal was a one-timer off a centering pass from Kiara Akpore. Bodziak had taken four previous shots in the game and connected on her fifth.

SIUE Coach Derek Burton said the play was the result of a turnover at midfield when Devon Thomas stole the ball and fed it to Akpore, who made a move on her defender on the right flank and then delivered a solid centering pass to the foot of Bodziak. SIUE scored at 87:34.

"It was a bang-bang play," said Burton.

The Cougars finished the season with a 3-10-2 record and sent out seniors Correen Roark and Kelley Humphrey on a positive note.

"We had a lot of energy and enthusiasm today," said Burton. "It was really nice, positive way to end the season."

Murray State, a future Ohio Valley Conference opponent, will look to rebound from the regular season-ending loss. The Racers, who are the defending league champions, will be the No. 3 seed for the upcoming OVC Tournament. The Racers enter the postseason with an 8-8-2 record.

SIUE opened the scoring at 39:30 with a penalty kick that Burton said was the result of some hard work on offense.

"We did a good job of not letting them out of their end," said Burton. After the ball was advanced on a throw-in, Thomas was fouled in the box, leading to the penalty kick. Humphrey got the call to attempt the penalty kick and converted past Murray State goalkeeper Tara Isbell.

It was Humphrey's first career goal in four seasons as a Cougar.

Rachel Wright would tie the score at 64:41 with her first goal of the season. Nicole Evans was credited with the assist.

SIUE's Stephanie Jung and Claire Lovercheck shared time in goal and combined for five saves. Murray State outshot the Cougars 13-12.

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