EVANSVILLE - Following a convincing win over Belmont on Sunday, the University of Evansville women's soccer team travels to face Morehead State at 5 PM on Thursday evening in Morehead, Ky.
Last Match: Evansville 3, Belmont 0
- In the Aces regular season home opener, the University of Evansville women's soccer team used its consistently stout defense combined with a second-half offensive explosion to grab a 3-0 victory over Belmont.
- Senior Emilie Hill led the way offensively for Evansville, scoring twice on set pieces with pin-point accurate headers, helping lead the Aces to their first win in the young campaign. Junior Monique Landrum added a goal for the Aces, getting the offensive rhythm going in the early portion of the second half.
- Between the posts, junior Georgia Katsonouri earned her first win and shutout of the season, playing the full 90 minutes and making a pair of saves.
- The first half resembled many Aces games over the last two season with UE playing tremendous defense and preventing the Bruins from creating much linking or opportunities. Evansville tallied four shots in the first 45 minutes with the best opportunity coming just past the quarter-hour mark as senior Emily Ormson forced a save from Belmont.
- In the second half, action got off to a much quicker start as Belmont recorded the first shot of the half in the opening minutes that missed right of the goal. Less than three minutes into the half, it was Evansville who found the back of the net first after a corner kick was earned. Senior Nicole Benati looped the corner into the box and Landrum deflected it near post, sneaking it by the keeper to put the Aces in front.
- Just three minutes later, UE found its second of the match in a similar fashion. On another corner, this time taken by Alex Eyler, Hill put herself in position and nodded the ball down bouncing it at an acute angle, making it difficult for Belmont to save and propelling the Aces in front 2-0.
- In the 74th minute, it was again Benati who created the chance off a corner. Benati whipped the ball in from the near side and Hill rocketed to the ball, finishing it high in the net as the Aces lead grew to three. Evansville was forced to stave off one late chance from the Bruins in the 84th minute, but Katsonouri tidily saved the Belmont shot as the Aces secured the 3-0 win.
Previewing the Matchup
- Sunday's matchup marks just the sixth all-time meeting between the Aces and Eagles with Morehead State owning a 4-1 advantage in the all-time series.
- The last time the two sides met came on Sept. 10, 2017 when Evansville broke a four-game losing streak to the Eagles with a 2-1 win at Arad McCutchan Stadium.
- Morehead State enters Thursday's match with a 1-1 record, opening the season with a 2-0 win at home over North Alabama, before falling in a road matchup with Purdue Fort Wayne, 3-1.
- Scoring six goals last season, Morehead State returns the scorers of all but one of those goals, including team leader Colleen Swift, who scored a pair of goals.
Benati and Hill's Terrific Week
- Evansville's 3-0 win on Sunday was highlighted by success on corner kicks and terrific performances by Nicole Benati and Emilie Hill.
- Benati delivered a pair of assists on two of the Aces goals, while Hill headed home two goals in the win.
Aces vs. OVC
- Thursday's road contest at Morehead State represents the second of five matches for the Aces against opponents from the Ohio Valley Conference.
- Already 1-0 against the OVC this season, Evansville has seen success against current members of the conference under head coach Chris Pfau.
- In five combined seasons as head coach, Pfau has an 11-2-1 record against current members of the OVC.
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