MOREHEAD, Ky. – SIUE women's soccer gained the No. 2 seed for the Ohio Valley Conference Tournament after gaining a decisive 3-0 road victory Sunday at Morehead State.
"I'm really proud of the determination today from our whole team," said SIUE Head Coach Derek Burton. "To get a convincing shutout win on the road against a team that was striving towards the same goal is remarkable."
The Cougars finished the OVC season with 17 points, including a 5-1-2 record in league play. Tennessee Tech, after tying 2-2 at Little Rock Sunday, finished just ahead of the Cougars with 18 points and a 5-0-3 record in league play.
SIUE, 6-5-4 overall, handed Morehead State, 7-6-3 overall and 4-2-2 in the OVC, its worst loss of the league season on Senior Day.
"Morehead State asked plenty of questions of us especially in the first 20 minutes," said Burton. "But we remained patient and communicated at a high level."
Taryn Moore got the scoring started for the Cougars with a timely goal at 39:03 on a double assist from Kelsey Kehoe and Mary Wessel. It was the first goal of the freshman's collegiate career.
The top two shooters on SIUE's squad this season teamed up to make it 2-0 at 60:16. Taylor Dolt scored her third goal of the season with an assist from Lily Schnieders.
Macie Begley, also a freshman, put the game out of reach at 78:24 on her first collegiate goal on an assist from Jay Viola.
"Our difference makers that didn't start today were what provided the next level to get that first goal," Burton noted. "We carried that energy into the second half and that mentality paid off in a couple more goals."
Taylor Spiller earned the win in goal for the Cougars. She had five saves in her fifth shutout of the season. Morehead State outshot SIUE 13-12
SIUE's next action will be Nov. 4 in the OVC Tournament semifinals in Cookeville, Tennessee, against a team to be determined. SIUE is the two-time defending OVC Tournament champion.
"This will give us time to rest, recover and start to prepare for the excitement of the postseason," said Burton.
