Morehead State soccer held control for a majority of the match and was able to find the back of the net twice as the Eagles defeated Lindenwood 2-0 Sunday on Senior Day at the MSU Soccer Field.
MSU, which controlled possession for 72 percent of the 90 minutes, improved to 5-5-5 overall and 4-1-2 in the OVC race. With 14 points in the table, the Eagles remained in second place. The Lions, who have dropped both matches in the short-lived series with MSU, fell to 3-11-1 and 1-6-0 in the league.
"Lindenwood came out very organized and were tough. We created quite a few chances in the first half, and I was hoping a couple would find the back of the net," said Head Coach Chris Fox. "But, we found a way in the second half. I am really happy with how we played. We created different types of chances. It was great to be able to get every one of our seniors on the field."
After a scoreless first half, the Eagles held a 10-3 shot advantage. They also took 10 shots in the second half and didn't allow a shot by the visitors, resulting in a decisive 20-3 upper-hand in attempts. MSU also held a 9-1 lead in shots on goal.
Early in the second half, MSU broke through. Following passes from fifth-year Nicole Fiantaco and fifth-year Kate Larbes, junior Erin Fite buried her first goal of the season and second of her career. Fiantaco collected her third assist of 2023, while Larbes tallied her second.
In the 79th minute, freshman Hedda Ornberg registered her team-high fourth goal of the campaign after a through pass from sixth-year Colleen Swift. Ornberg and Swift are now tied with four goals apiece, and Swift was credited with her second assist of the year and fifth of her long career.
MSU also had a 5-0 advantage in corner kicks.
The Eagles have a crucial match now coming up Thursday when they host OVC leader Tennessee Tech at 4 p.m. ET. The Golden Eagles have 19 points in the table.
"We need some results around the league elsewhere to go our way to win the league, so it's going to be tough," Fox said. "But we are still in the hunt so that's most important. We can still vie for any one of those top four positions (which get at least 1 bye)."
By Matt Schabert, Morehead State Athletic Media Relations