CLARKSVILLE— In a must-win game, Austin Peay State University women's soccer team scored twice in the second half to defeat Morehead State in the regular season finale to go unbeaten at home for the first time in program history.
The Govs got off to a shaky start, struggling to control possession in the midfield, but the back line held strong, fending off Morehead State's (2-13-1) five shots and never giving the Eagles a corner kick.
Sophomore keeper Mary Parker Powell was not called on often in Sunday's match, but stayed alert directing the back line. Powell made one save in the first half on a dipping ball off a set piece that she read and tipped over the bar just before the ball crossed the line.
The Governors came out of the halftime pressing Morehead State creating turnovers and dictating play in the midfield. The Govs earned three corner kicks in the second-half and fired nine shots at the Eagle's junior keeper Michelle Washburn.
Senior forward Kirstin Robertson opened the scoring for the Govs in the 76th minute on a through pass from redshirt sophomore Pamela Penaloza. Penaloza's pass hit Robertson in stride as she took a touch around an Eagle defender and slotted the ball in the far left corner.
Morehead State looked desperately for an equalizer, throwing numbers forward, but the Governors' defense stood strong repelling balls dropped in over the top back towards the midfield.
In the 84th minute, junior McKenzie Dixon put the match away when she picked up a ball dropped over the top of the Eagle's defense from junior Katie Costantino and launched a shot off the keeper's hands and into the back of the net.
The back line for the Govs played all 90 minutes, preserving Powell's fourth shutout of the season propelling Austin Peay to its second straight postseason appearance in the Ohio Valley Conference Tournament.
Notably
- The Governors remain perfect at home completing the first ever unbeaten season at home in Austin Peay soccer history (7-0-2).
- The Govs make the OVC Tournament for the second straight year as the eighth seed.
- Robertson's goal was her 11th of the season tied with former Gov Tatiana Ariza (2010) for fifth all time in a single season.
- Dixon's goal was her third of the season and her second since returning from a mid-season injury.
- Powell pulled in two saves bringing her season total to 50, with a 77 percent save percentage.
- Defensive Determination: Powell, sophomores Renee Semaan and Shelby Stewart, freshman Abby Therrell and midfielder junior Jennifer Smith played all 90 minutes in Sunday's match.
Up Next for the Govs
The Govs will begin their postseason play in the first round of the OVC Tournament 5:30 pm Friday, against Southeast Missouri. Austin Peay will face the Redhawks at E.S. Rose Park in Nashville.
