EVANSVILLE, Ind. – The University of Evansville women’s soccer team will be up against two Ohio Valley Conference opponents this weekend, starting Friday when the Purple Aces host Southeast Missouri State at 7:00 p.m. CT at Arad McCutchan Stadium. UE will have to recover quickly to take on Morehead State Sunday on the road at noon.
CATCH THE ACTION
Fans can follow Friday’s action via a live video stream and live stats.
SCOUTING SEMO (2-1-0, 0-0 OVC)
In SEMO’s last outing, newcomers Erin Shulman (two goals) and Jessie Crabtree (one goal) combined to score three of the Redhawks' four goals in a 4-0 victory over Arkansas State Sunday. Southeast held ASU to only four shots in posting its first shutout of the season. Ashton Aubuchon got the start and made two saves in 81:36 of playing time and Jessica Grindstaff turned away one shot in the final 8:24 to keep the Red Wolves off the board. On the season, Crabtree and Shulman lead the squad with three goals apiece. In UE’s and SEMO’s last meeting, the Aces came away with a 1-0 victory in the 2009 season-opener.
SCOUTING MOREHEAD STATE (1-2-0, 0-0 OVC)
The Eagles enter the weekend coming off a 1-0 loss to Kent State. Morehead State will take on Gardner-Webb Friday before hosting UE Sunday. Like Evansville, the Eagles captured their first win of the season over Valparaiso University with a 1-0 decision. Sarah Phillip leads MSU offensively with one goal, while Katie Blevins has been a mainstay in goal, playing all 270:00 minutes. She owns a 1.67 GAA, making 16 saves. In their last meeting, the Aces were edged, 2-1, at Morehead State in 2009.
EVANSVILLE’S LAST TIME OUT (1-3-1, 0-0 MVC)
Xavier’s goal after a throw-in in the 58th minute was the only ball to find the back of the net Wednesday evening at XU Soccer Complex, as UE fell, 1-0. For the first time this season, the Aces outshot their opponent, as UE tallied 14 shots, seven on goal, compared to the Musketeers’ 13 shots, six on goal. Ten of Evansville’s shots came in the second half. Sophomore Tasha Prentice led the Aces’ offense with four shots on the night. Chaviel Harrison played all 90:00 minutes in goal, recording five saves.
On the season, Prentice (1g, 1a, 3pts), Stephanie Thompson (1g, 0a, 2pts), Danielle Langness (1g, 0a, 2pts), and #Kasey Cartwright# (1g, 0a, 2pts) lead the UE offense. #Chaviel Harrison# (470:00 minutes, 1.91 GAA, 31 SV, .756 SV%, 1 SHO) has played every minute of the season in goal for the Aces.
GAME-WINNER
Sophomore forward Stephanie Thompson piloted the Purple Aces to their first victory of the 2011 season with her game-winning goal in the 89th minute over Valparaiso last Sunday. With the score tied, 0-0, Thompson prevented overtime when she found the back of the net on a tight angled shot, 20 yards out. On the week, the Evansville, Ind. native led the Aces with five shots.
CHAVIEL’S SHUTTIE
Junior goalkeeper Chaviel Harrison played all 180:00 minutes in the net last week, tallying 14 saves and her third career shutout. Harrison was impassable Sunday as she recorded 10 saves in Evansville’s, 1-0, shutout at Valparaiso, while facing a barrage of 19 shots.
ACES PICKED SIXTH IN MVC
In the Missouri Valley Conference preseason poll, voted upon by the league’s head coaches, Evansville was picked to finish sixth in the conference. The Aces received 15 points in the poll. Defending champion, Creighton was chosen first with 45 points. Sophomore Breana Beine, the MVC Freshman of the Year and first team all-conference selection in 2010, was named to the 2011 MVC Preseason Team, while senior Sam Conrad was recognized as honorable mention in the poll.
Team Points
1. Creighton 45
2. Illinois State 39
3. Missouri State 38
4. Indiana State 24
5. Drake 21
6. Evansville 15
7. UNI 14
