The sixth-seeded Morehead State soccer team took a late one-goal lead in the Ohio Valley Conference Tournament semifinals on Friday afternoon (Nov. 7) at Houck Stadium, but second-seeded SIUEdwardsville answered with a pair of goals en route to a 2-1 overtime win.
The Cougars advance to the OVC Tournament championship match on Sunday at 2 p.m. SIUE will square off with fifth-seeded Jacksonville State after the Gamecocks turned in a 1-0 upset of the top-seeded Southeast Missouri Redhawks in the nightcap of Friday's semifinal round.
SIU Edwardsville, which posted an 8-2-0 OVC record, improves to 12-6-1 overall. Morehead State, which registered a 5-3-2 league mark, finishes the year 11-6-5 overall. The Cougars also defeated the Eagles, 2-1, in the only regular-season meeting between the clubs on Oct. 17 Jayne Stadium.
"Our young ladies put their hearts and souls into today's match," Head Coach Warren Lipka said. "It's difficult playing back-to-back days, and I think we ran out of gas down the stretch. I'm disappointed the season has come to an end, but still proud of what our group accomplished this season."
Senior forward Macy Cobb scored Morehead State's only goal in the 75th minute off an assist from classmate Jade Flory. Cobb closes out the campaign with eight goals and two assists for 18 points, while Flory finishes the season with team highs of 13 scores and eight helpers for 34 points.
Flory, a transfer from Youngstown State who earned First-Team All-OVC honors in 2014, wraps up her MSU career with 27 goals and 13 assists for 67 points. She ranks third in school history for goals and points despite playing just 44 matches in an Eagle uniform, while placing fourth in assists.
SIU Edwardsville netted the equalizer in the 85th minute on a penalty kick by senior midfielder Michelle Auer. The score followed a scenario when MSU's goalkeeper was assessed a yellow card.
Junior midfielder Marissa Delgado ended the affair in the 95th minute when she took a pass from Auer and headed it into the goal. Junior goalie Jennifer Pelley recorded six saves and the win for the Cougars.
SIU Edwardsville notched an 18-9 advantage in total shots and 10-8 upper hand in attempts on goal. Morehead State held a 7-5 edge in shots at intermission, but the Cougars ripped off eight attempts in the second half and all five shots in extra time. MSU had just two attempts in the final 50 minutes.
"I'm especially proud of our seniors," Lipka added. "They have set a benchmark for Morehead State soccer. It's been a good year and one we should be able to build on. I want to thank all of our fans for their efforts this season. Our student-athletes have felt that support and appreciate it very much."
