On a day that saw frustration running even higher than the sweltering temperatures, the Morehead State Soccer Eagles could not solve the stout defense of Evansville despite an offensive barrage, as they fell to the Purple Eagles in their Thursday night matchup, 1-0.
The Eagles' program dropped to 1-2 on the season, and absorbed their first home defeat to the Purple Aces, who they have previously held a 3-0 home record against going into the match.
Evansville scored the game's lone goal in the 12th minute, when Emily Wolak found a streaking Emily Ormson on a breakaway that found the back of the net. However, despite the early goal, the Eagles controlled most of the first half action, outshooting the Purple Aces 6-2 with Sidney Palla, Caitlyn Burdine, and Abby Wesselkamper all putting dangerous shots on goal.
The Eagles continued to generate opportunities in the second half, outshooting Evansville 7-6, but were unable to break through and tie the game. Morehead State had a pair of chances to equalize in the 71st minute off a free kick and an Allie Bush shot, but again, could not beat Purple Aces' goaltender Michaela Till.
Another opportunity came off a corner kick in the 76 minute that saw a host of Evansville defenders block another attempt from Bush on an empty net.
The Eagles were stopped yet again in the 82nd minute, as an initial shot from Burdine was stopped by Till and a rebound from Gabby Nastasi was kept out of the goal by an Evansville defender.
On his team's effort, head coach Warren Lipka commented, "We created enough goal scoring opportunities to win the game. But we did not finish the job. Hats off to Evansville with their defending."
The 13 shots from the Eagles tied a season high, matching their total from their opening night victory against North Alabama, and is the most shots in a game from Morehead State since posting 16 in a double overtime game this past spring against Austin Peay.
Morehead State looks to bounce back quickly when it takes on Marshall at home on Sunday at 2 pm ET.
