Finally breaking through in the 83rd minute, the Morehead State Soccer team defeated Southeast Missouri 1-0 Thursday evening to advance to the Ohio Valley Conference championship match for the first time since 2013.
The Eagles (8-5-5) got a team-leading fifth goal of the season by first-team All-OVC member Kate Larbes at 82:21. Larbes' goal to the top corner was assisted by freshman Hedda Ornberg (first career assist) and sixth-year Colleen Swift (sixth career assist).
Meanwhile, the Eagle defense posted its eighth shutout of the season and fourth in the past five matches. Goalkeeper Erin Gibbs was credited with her eighth total shutout of 2023 as well, moving her to second on the MSU single-season shutout list.
The victory pushed the Eagles to their sixth all-time OVC championship match, which will take place on Sunday versus top-seeded Tennessee Tech at 2 p.m. ET. MSU won OVC titles in 2008, 2010 and 2013 and is now 4-1 all-time as the No. 2 seed.
Morehead State's fifth consecutive win equaled its best success streak since winning five straight in 2011. The eight wins this season is the most since winning nine in 2015.
The Eagles' held a distinct 16-6 advantage in shots attempted, while Gibbs stopped all four SEMO attacks that came her way in net.
By Matt Schabert, Morehead State Athletic Media Relations