Box Score EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. – Junior Chelsea Smith picked up the first goal of her SIUE career Friday night lifting the Cougars to a 1-0 win over Southeast Missouri in Ohio Valley Conference soccer at Korte Stadium.
SIUE improved to 5-5-1 overall and 2-2 in the OVC. The win snapped a two-game losing streak for the Cougars. Southeast Missouri dropped to 2-8-3 and 1-2-1 in the OVC.
"They (Southeast Missouri) made us work really hard for this win," SIUE Head Coach Derek Burton said. "I'm really proud of the girls because they did work hard. They deserved it."
Smith netted the game winner in the 28th minute, striking from straight on from about 12 yards away. Michelle Auer picked up her team-leading third assist of the year on the play.
Southeast outshot the Cougars 14-9 for the game. SIUE goalkeeper Jennifer Pelley made four saves to earn her fifth shutout of the season. Courtney Luehman, Torey Byrd, Kasey Crowden, and Storm French each had two shots during the game to lead the Redhawks. Renee Kertz made three saves in goal for SEMO.
"SEMO is always a really well-coached team," Burton said. "They are very good with the way they play. You can tell when it went down to the right to the last minute with them applying pressure."
The game began about 20 minutes late due to weather concerns. Burton said he was proud of the way his team played despite conditions.
"The slick wet turf makes it really fast," Burton added. "It's difficult to control the ball sometimes. Like SEMO, we adapted to what we needed to do."
The Cougars continue the home stand Sunday when they welcome UT Martin to Korte Stadium.
