Box Score

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. – The No. 2 seed Eastern Kentucky University women’s soccer team fell to the No. 3 seed UT Martin, 4-0, in the semifinals of the Ohio Valley Conference Tournament on Friday afternoon at host Southeast Missouri’s Houck Stadium.

It was EKU’s fourth consecutive appearance in the OVC Tournament, and the second time it has reached the semifinals in the past four years. The Colonels are still seeking their first-ever postseason win.

EKU finishes the 2011 season with a record of 7-10-3, and the Colonels’ five conference wins are tied for the most in program history.

“This game is not a reflection of our season,” head coach Lindsay Basalyga said. “I am proud of what we were able to accomplish in the regular season, but we need to use the offseason to develop the mentality it takes to win big games.”

EKU simply ran into a red-hot UT Martin team that had won five of its last six games, including a victory over the No. 6 seed Eastern Illinois less than 24 hours before Friday’s game.

The Skyhawks (13-6-2) jumped on the Colonels early, scoring three goals in the first 17 minutes of the game. Before Friday, the EKU backline had not allowed multiple goals in a game since Sept. 9.

Mary Thompson scored first in the sixth minute, heading in a cross from Rosaelia Loza. In the 11th minute, Lucy Pater headed in a score off a corner kick. In the 16th minute, Thompson struck again, this time beating EKU freshman keeper Annie Wickett to the far side with a goal that made it 3-0.

“We started the game in fear, and UT Martin capitalized on us early,” Basalyga said. “They put us under a lot of pressure in our defensive third and by the time we settled into the game we were down 3-0.”

Hannah Fessenden added another goal for the Skyhawks in the 80th minute to seal the win.

EKU outshot UTM in the game, 13-11. In her final game as a Colonel, senior Heather Bruce attempted a game-high three shots. Freshman Stephany Ellison came off the bench to also attempt three shots, two of which were on goal.

Wickett, a second team All-OVC selection in her first year of collegiate soccer, played all 90 minutes in goal for the Colonels and made five saves in the losing effort.

Despite another tough postseason loss, Basalyga remained optimistic for 2012, especially considering the youth of her team.

“We lose two valuable seniors who, again, can hang their hats on four consecutive tournament appearances,” Basalyga said. “We are a young team and a young program, and what we have been able to achieve in such a short amount of time is a credit to every player who has graduated from this program.”