Samford University
*SE Missouri State
Soccer Knocks Off SEMO to Stay in First Place
10.10.03 | Women's Soccer
Oct. 10, 2003
CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. - Kim Matthews scored her fourth goal of the season on an assist from Marian Wagner in the 25th minute as the Samford Bulldogs knocked off defending Ohio Valley Conference regular season champ Southeast Missouri State 1-0 at Houck Stadium Friday night.
The game-winning goal was Matthews' third of the season but was her first goal since Sept. 5, when she had two against Chattanooga. Wagner's assist was her third of the season and gives her a point in each of the last three matches. With the win, the Bulldogs (7-2-3) remain a top of the OVC standings with a 3-0 conference record.
It was the Otahkians (7-3-3, 2-1 OVC) first home loss of the season and ended a streak of 12-consecutive regular season OVC victories for Southeast Missouri State. The last time the Otahkians dropped an OVC regular season match was on Oct. 13, 2000 against Eastern Illinois.
"It was a very physical, hard fought match," said Samford head coach Todd Yelton. "It was evenly played and both teams had opportunities to score. I am proud of the effort we gave tonight on a different surface than we are use to playing on and we are very happy to come out with a win."
The match was the first time the Bulldogs have ever played a soccer match on an artificial surface.
In the 25th minute, Wagner found Matthews with a through ball that put the freshman in on the left side, Matthews shot went over SEMO goalkeeper Amanda Wrzos and into the top right corner of the goal. It was the first time the Bulldogs have scored a first half goal in its last 10 matches dating back to the Chattanooga game on the fifth of September.
The Otahkians best chance to score came in the 83rd minute as Ashley Deroy sent a hard shot from the right flank which Samford goalkeeper Crystal Royall had to make an outstanding save on, the rebound went to Marla Gianino whose shot went just wide of the goal.
SEMO out-shot the Bulldogs13-7 and had all four corner kicks in the match, but Royall made seven saves to record her school record seventh shutout of the season. It was the Bulldogs eighth shutout also establishing a new school record.
Samford will return to action on Sunday at 1 p.m. as it turns its attention Eastern Illinois who is the conference's defending tournament champion. The Panthers are the only other undefeated team in the OVC.
