Tech graduates just one senior as season comes to close

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. — Southeast Missouri complemented an early goal with two second-half scores en route to a 3-0 victory over Tennessee Tech on Sunday in the regular season finale for both squads.

The league-leading Redhawks scored with just less than 10 minutes expired, taking an early lead when Jessie Crabtree scored her eighth goal of the season on a feed from Meg Herndon.

Tech then held SEMO scoreless for nearly 45 minutes before the Redhawks struck again in the 52^nd minute on a Hayley Abbott unassisted goal that came on the heels of a corner kick. Southeast Missouri added one more goal in the 77^th minute when Torey Byrd scored on assists from Jessie Crabtree and Meg Herndon.

With the loss, Tech saw its season come to an end with a 5-13-1 mark and a 2-7 record in the Ohio Valley Conference. SEMO improved to 12-5-1 and 8-1 in the OVC and staked claim to the league's regular-season title. The Redhawks will host the conference tournament, which features the top six teams in the league and begins Thursday, Nov. 3.

The Golden Eagles took five shots on the afternoon, putting four on goal. Chelsea Ladd, Sarah Gawthrop and Kerri Reid all delivered shots on target, with Gawthrop putting two on goal. Tech goalkeeper Becca Toler notched eight saves on the afternoon.

Southeast Missouri placed 25 shots for the game and put 11 on goal, also winning eight corner kicks. Herndon finished with two assists while Crabtree had a goal and an assist. Goalkeeper Ashton Aubuchon turned away four Golden Eagle shots.

Sophomore Ellie Iaciofano and junior Kris Cambron finished the season as Tech's leading offensive producers, both with seven points. Iaciofano scored three goals and distributed one assist while Cambron scored two goals and added three assists.

The Golden Eagles graduate just one senior who saw playing time this season in defender Lindsey Reed. The rest of the team figures to return completely intact for head coach Daniel Brizard in 2012.