By Dylan Vazzano, TTU Sports Information
CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. – A late Southeast Missouri goal proved to be the difference Friday evening, as the Redhawks took down the Tennessee Tech soccer team behind a score with just over 10 minutes remaining in regulation en route to a 1-0 win. SEMO's late dramatics keeps the club undefeated this spring, now sitting at 5-0-0.
In a battle that featured two of the league's top defenses on paper, the performance on the pitch played out that way for nearly the entirety of the contest. Both clubs entered the clash having surrendered only one goal in four matches this spring, but the Golden Eagles (3-2-0) budged first in the 79th minute.
Hannah Compernolle fed Lexi Grote, who found a way to slip past Tech's back line and rocket one toward the back of the net. Golden Eagle keeper Isabelle Austin managed to get a piece of Grote's try to slow down the strike, but the 5-foot-4 senior forward had just enough on it to roll it in between the pipes, putting SEMO on the board. Compernolle was credited with an assist on the play.
The Golden Eagles attempted double-digit shots for the fourth time in five affairs this season after outshooting the Redhawks, 12-10, highlighted by an 8-4 discrepancy in the first half. Chloe Smith paced the purple and gold for the third straight match with a contest-leading four attempts, two of which were on-point. Freshman Yao Giada Zhou secured a pair of attempts on-goal as well, while Cassidy Bereda totaled two shots in the tilt.
The Redhawks held an 8-6 advantage in the shots on-goal department. Lauren Welker and Emma Brune led the SEMO charge with two shots on-goal each
Isabelle Austin matched a season-high with seven saves. Bailey Redden was kept busy as well behind six stops.
Tech will continue its two-match road swing with a Tuesday, Mar. 23 meeting at Murray State. First kick with the Racers is slated for 1 p.m. CT.
Photo by Jim Dillon
