BOX SCORE

MOREHEAD, Ky. – The sixth-seeded Eastern Kentucky University women’s soccer team was defeated by third-seeded Murray State, 1-0, Thursday night at Jayne Stadium in the first round of the Ohio Valley Conference Tournament. The Racers scored a goal in the 86th minute that proved to be the game-winner.

It was the Colonels second consecutive appearance in the OVC Tournament in only the program’s fifth year of existence. EKU ends the 2009 season with a record of 5-11-3, 2-4-3 OVC.

“Every player that stepped on the field tonight made an impact,” head coach Lindsay Basalyga said. “We were just unlucky in the attacking third of the field, and that has been the story of our season.”

Although EKU was outshot on the game, 10-9, the Colonels created numerous chances as eight of their nine shots were on goal. Murray State keeper Tara Isbell concluded the game with eight saves.

Freshman midfielder Heather Bruce led the Colonels offensively with four shots, three of which were on goal.

Junior keeper Stephanie Lynch played all 90 minutes in the goal for EKU and made four saves.

EKU narrowly outshout the Racers (9-8-2, 6-2-1 OVC), 5-4, in the first half, but neither team was able to capitalize on their attacks. Freshman midfielder Alex Hess provided the Colonels with their best scoring opportunity, drawing a one-on-one with the Murray State goalkeeper; however, Isbell made an impressive save to keep the game scoreless.

The Colonels had another golden opportunity to score in the 79th minute of regulation when junior midfielder Carly Muller had a point blank shot at an open goal; however, the shot was deflected wide by a Murray State defender.

Then, with less than five minutes to play, Murray State freshman Ashley Fraser scored off a deflection to put the Racers up, 1-0, and the Colonels could not mount another scoring attacked before regulation expired.

Despite a loss that will be tough to swallow, Basalyga remained optimistic for 2010.

“As a coach, to see how far we’ve come in how we play the game, I’m eager to see what comes of next year,” Basalyga said.

Murray State will face UT Martin on Friday night in the semifinals of the tournament.