An explosive offense led Morehead State soccer to a 4-1 victory over in-state OVC rival Eastern Kentucky Sunday afternoon at Jayne Stadium.
Freshman forward Abby Timm led the way for the Eagles, collecting two goals, giving her a team leading six goals on the season. The afternoon began when Timm broke free from two defenders off of an assist by senior defender Kelsey Gomez to net her first goal of the day. The goal gave MSU a 1-0 lead in the sixth minute, a lead they would not relinquish.
"The first goal gave us tons of momentum and we've been talking about starting off early and not letting our opponent decide how the game will be played," said Timm. "The formation we've been playing has brought us together as a team. We find each other because we know how everyone plays. When I make a run, my teammates know where I'm going to be."
Junior forward Lauren Duffy did her best to match Timm's performance. She came off the bench midway through the first half and registered a goal in the 23rd minute. Swiping a loose ball, she broke into the goalkeeper's box, and shot from the right side. EKU's sophomore goalkeeper made an incredible save, deflecting the ball to the left of Duffy. But, Duffy regrouped and tapped it in with her left foot, giving MSU a 2-0 lead.
In the closing minutes of the first half, freshman midfielder Cara Maher snagged her first collegiate goal, as she took a pass from the right side of the field from Duffy. Cutting through the middle of the box, Maher sent the ball screaming into the back of the net, solidifying the Eagles lead at 3-0.
Timm finished off her extraordinary day in the 79th minute as she beat the keeper to the ball off of a 25-yard pass from senior defender Teig Palmateer and then tapped in an uncontested shot from eight yards out. The goal gave her two on the today and provided the final margin of 4-1.
Players coming off of the bench played a role in three of the four goals scored and Lipka hopes that continues.
"Players like Lauren Duffy should be an inspiration to people. She doesn't care if she starts or comes off the bench, she just wants a chance to be on the field. When she plays, she makes things happen," said Lipka. "When someone isn't having a great day, we can put her in for a spark and it's nice to have that luxury."
The Eagles will take their 2-1 OVC record on the road, beginning Friday, as they take on SIUE at 8 p.m., followed by a Sunday afternoon match against Eastern Illinois at 2 p.m.
