MURRAY, Ky.  -  SIUE women's soccer needed just 64 seconds to take the lead in Thursday's Ohio Valley Conference Tournament Semifinal match, and the Cougars would never look back, claiming a 2-0 victory over No. 3 seed UT Martin.

"Today was a good example of how we're capable of playing," said SIUE Head Coach Derek Burton following the match. "I think a little bit of time between matches helped us remember that and regain some of the confidence we had earlier this spring."

It did not take long for the second-seeded Cougars to make their presence known, as OVC Forward of the Year MacKenzie Litzsinger took a pass from Maria Haro to net her seventh goal of the Spring 2021 campaign. The Red & White would hold that one-goal advantage for just over an hour, before Haro notched her second assist of the contest with a through pass to Lily Schnieders. Schnieders securely put the ball in the back of the net to score her sixth goal of the season, doubling the Cougar lead. SIUE goalkeeper Taylor Spiller and the Cougar backline secured their fifth clean sheet of the season, as Spiller recorded a season-high eight saves on the day.

"They [UT Martin] are a good team and certainly created chances and put us under pressure," added Burton. "But we bent, didn't break. And that's down to the heart and determination of our players. And a few timely outstanding defensive plays in field and some fantastic goalkeeping."

Today's victory also marked the 100th win of SIUE Head Coach Derek Burton's career in Edwardsville, who is in his 13th season at the helm of the SIUE women's soccer program. 

"Nice to hit a number like that in a big game," said Burton. "The players were excited to celebrate it and getting a cooler dumped on you - well, I'll take that anytime. Generally, that means something good has happened and our team will take good stuff anytime."

The Cougars will take Friday off, before returning to the pitch on Saturday afternoon for the OVC Championship Game against No. 4 seed Southeast Missouri. First kick is scheduled for 1 p.m. at Cutchin Field in Murray, Kentucky, and the match will be streamed live on ESPN+.