Box Score

RICHMOND, Ky. – Lauren Bozesky’s goal in the 55th minute made the difference as Southeast Missouri edged host Eastern Kentucky, 1-0, Sunday afternoon at EKU Soccer Field in a battle of first and second place teams in the Ohio Valley Conference.

It was EKU’s (5-7-2, 3-1-1 OVC) first loss of the conference season. A win would have moved the Colonels past SEMO (9-3-1, 5-1-0 OVC) and into first place.

“I definitely think this was the best game we have played all year, despite the result,” head coach Lindsay Basalyga said. “I think the game could have gone either way, and kudos to SEMO for getting the three points. We didn’t lose because we played poorly; we just need to get a little more savvy around the goal. By no means am I disappointed about where we are as a team, though.”

EKU outshot SEMO, 6-3, in the first half – including a 15-second stretch in which junior Katie Collar and sophomore Nicole Donnelly fired shots on goal and freshman Devon Saini hit the crossbar with a shot – but could not convert.

Ten minutes into the second, though, Bozesky converted, receiving a pass from Shona Goodwin and firing a shot from seven yards out that went off the hands of freshman keeper Annie Wickett and into the back of the net.

EKU attempted a furious rally – a shot by senior Heather Bruce hit the crossbar, and another shot by Bruce was barely saved by SEMO goalkeeper Ashton Aubuchon with just seconds left to play – but SEMO held on for its fifth conference victory and first place.

EKU outshot SEMO in the game, 16-14. Saini led the Colonels with four shots on the day, two of which were on goal. Bozeksy, meanwhile, paced the Redhawk offense with four shots.

Wickett made a season-high seven saves in the contest.

Bruce, junior Deja Tennon, sophomores Lauren Fant and Brittany Nomady and freshman Paige Larkin all went the distance for EKU.

EKU will now go on the road to face Eastern Illinois and SIU Edwardsville next weekend.

“We just need to stay in our routine and have a good week of training,” Bruce said of the Colonels’ upcoming road swing. “We just do everything that we normally do to prepare, and then take the road by storm like we did on our last road trip.”