Oct. 28, 2007

Box Score

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. - The Samford University soccer team's hopes of a fifth-consecutive regular-season Ohio Valley Conference title fell just short Sunday as the Bulldogs suffered a 1-0 double-overtime setback on the road against the Southeast Missouri Redhawks.

"This was a tough, hard-fought match and it's always difficult when you lose," said Samford head coach Todd Yelton. "I am extremely proud of our players and how they competed and I know that they did everything in their control to win. It was a very physical match and there were some things that didn't go our way."

With the loss, Samford (13-4, 8-1 OVC) had its school-record nine-match losing streak snapped and was defeated for the first time since Sept. 21.

The Bulldogs concluded conference play as the second-place team in the standings and earned a first-round bye in the upcoming OVC Tournament. The four-team conference championship will be held at Southeast Missouri's Houck Stadium, Nov. 9-11. The winner earns an automatic bid to the 2007 NCAA Tournament.

Southeast Missouri (11-2-2, 8-0-1 OVC) extended its undefeated streak to 11-straight matches and claimed its first regular-season title since 2002.

Either Samford or Southeast Missouri have won the OVC's regular season in each of the previous seven years. Southeast Missouri earned consecutive titles in 2001 and 2002 before Samford rattled off four-straight championships from 2003-06.

Southeast Missouri claimed its third all-time OVC regular-season title Sunday. Samford leads all conference teams with four championships.

"Our players are resilient and we know that we're going to bounce back from this," Yelton said. "We've had to deal with our share of adversity all year long and we definitely had to deal with a lot of adversity today. Our players never make excuses and they realize that our ultimate goal of winning the tournament is still well within reach."

After 101 minutes of a defensive struggle, Southeast Missouri scored the game-winning goal during the second minute of the double-overtime period.

Senior midfielder Molli Beard tallied the deciding goal at 101:14 in the match. On the score, she gathered a rebounded shot attempt from the right side and was able to sneak the ball into the back of the net. The goal was Beard's third of the season and was assisted by Ashley Runion and Alaina Lacopo.

"Southeast Missouri took advantage of a good opportunity and they were able to get the goal," said Yelton. "We played extremely hard all match long and we also had our share of chances to score. It was a very close match and it was one of those where it could have gone either way."

Samford's Cayley Winters finished with eight saves and the Bulldogs tallied seven corner kicks, compared to one for the Redhawks.

At total of 54 fouls were called in the match. Samford was whistled for 31, while Southeast Missouri ended with 23.

The Samford University soccer team will next be in action Saturday as the Bulldogs host the Belmont Bruins at 7 p.m., in the regular-season finale for both teams.

Prior to the match, Samford will hold its annual "Senior Night" festivities in which Cassie Applegate, Heather Birdsell, Rebecca Bohler, Devon Paris and Jamie Stout will all be honored for their four years of hard work and dedication.

Following Samford's "Senior Night" match against Belmont, the Bulldogs will head back to Southeast Missouri for the 2007 OVC Tournament. The semifinals and championship match of the four-team competition will be webstreamed live on OVCSports.TV.

Game times will be announced later this week.

2007 OVC Soccer Tournament

Tuesday, Nov. 6
#5 Morehead State at #4 UT Martin - TBA
#6 Eastern Illinois at #3 Murray State - TBA

Friday, Nov. 9
#1 Southeast Missouri vs. winner of #4 UT Martin/#5 Morehead State - TBA
#2 Samford vs. winner of #3 Murray State/#6 Eastern Illinois - TBA

Sunday, Nov. 11
Championship - TBA

2007 OVC Tournament Bracket