The 2019 Morehead State Soccer team etched itself in history with a 2-1 win over Akron on Sunday evening as the victory marked the program's first-ever victory on their new home field, the MSU Recreation & Wellness Intramural Field.
The win, which saw the Eagles climb back from an early deficit, was the first of the new season and improved their record to 1-2. The Zips dropped to 1-3 for the season with the loss.
"This was a great and a well-deserved win for our team," said MSU head coach Warren Lipka."These ladies just came out and won the program's first game at our beautiful new field and did it with a good product on the field. We gave up an early goal and just continued to battle the entire game."
Akron's early advantage in the match started with a goal in the third minute off a header by Ashley Amato. The goal, which was Amato's second goal of 2019, was assisted by Anya Donelan on a set-piece from a few yards outside the of the top-right corner of the penalty box.
Morehead State began to tighten its defense over the next twenty minutes as they fought off a pair of corner kicks and three shot attempts by the visiting zips before striking for the equalizer.
Gabby Nastasi, a freshman from Owings, Md., netted the tying goal, which was also the first of her career, in the 33rd minute.
The 5-foot-4 Nastasi beat the Akron goalkeeper with a chip shot off a single touch on a through ball pass from junior forward Holly Logsdon. The assist was the first of Logsdon's career.
The teams played to a deadlock until a foul call gave the Eagles a solid look on a free kick from a yard beyond the middle of the penalty box. Nicole Palmer, a sophomore defender and 2019 Ohio Valley Conference Player to Watch, stepped up and drove the free kick on a sharp bend and into the bottom left of the goal to give her team the lead in the 62nd minute for good at 2-1
Akron did manage to outshoot the Morehead 10-8 during the afternoon. Nastasi led all individuals in shots taken and shots on goal with three and two.
MSU Freshman goalkeeper Kayla Landman made her second start and saved two goals while allowing early header goal from Amato. The Zips, split the matches between starting goalie Libby Harper and Vanessa Berlin - both allowed a goal while Berlin was credited the only save.
Morehead State Soccer returns to action on Friday, Sept., 6 at 2:00 p.m. ET when they host grandparent's day and the first FRO-YO Friday for its match against Miami (Ohio) on the MSU Rec & Wellness Intramural Field.
