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RICHMOND, Ky. – The sixth-seeded Eastern Kentucky University women’s soccer team will face the third-seeded Murray State Racers Thursday night at 8:00 p.m. in the first round of the Ohio Valley Conference Tournament at Jayne Stadium on the campus of Morehead State University.
The Colonels (5-10-3, 2-3-3 OVC) and the Racers (8-8-2, 5-2-1 OVC) played to a scoreless draw during the regular season at Murray State.
EKU is 0-2-2 against the Racers since the program’s inaugural season of 2005.
Thursday’s matchup appears to be a duel between offense and defense. Murray State enters the tournament ranked first in the OVC in shots (259), second in points (80), second in goals (20) and second in goals per game (1.67). EKU, meanwhile, recorded five shutouts and allowed only five goals in eight conference games this season.
The Colonels’ backline is anchored by three seniors – Jessica Goshert, Eva Hollenberg and Maddy Shumaker. Junior goalkeeper Stephanie Lynch – a 2008 second team All-OVC selection and a two-time OVC Goalkeeper of the Week in 2009 – has recorded five shutouts and boasts an OVC-best 0.59 goals against average during the conference season.
Offensively, the Colonels are led by senior forward Lauren Imsande. Imsande leads EKU with three goals in 2009, all of which have been game-winners. Junior midfielder Carly Muller (two goals, two assists), whose goal in the 86th minute against SEMO eventually proved to be the Colonels’ tournament-clincher, sophomore midfielder Heather Bruce (one goal, three assists) and junior midfielder Alex Raich (two goals, one assist) will also be expected to contribute on the attack Thursday night.
The Colonels’ strong defense will be tested against a dangerous Murray State frontline. Nicole Evans, Kalli McCoy, Danielle McMurray and Sophie Hargreaves have all scored five goals this season for the Racers.
Murray State keeper Tara Isbell, meanwhile, went 2-0-1 in OVC games and did not allow a goal all season in conference play.
The winner of Thursday’s match will advance to the semifinals to face UT Martin on Friday at 8:00 p.m.
