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Austin Peay State University Athletics

Austin Peay soccer played Eastern Illinois to a 1-1 draw on rainy day at Morgan Bros. Soccer Field, as the Governors picked up a point and secured a spot in the OVC Soccer Championship.
Eric Elliot, APSU Athletics

Govs kick off delayed 2020 season against TTU, Tuesday

| By: Casey Crigger, Austin Peay Athletics Communications Assistant

CLARKSVILLE – Austin Peay State University soccer is set to open the long-awaited 2020 season when it hosts Tennessee Tech for a 2 p.m., Tuesday match at Morgan Bros. Soccer Field.  

Tuesday's season-opening match pits the Governors, picked sixth in the league's preseason poll, against a Tennessee Tech squad that was tabbed to finish fifth in the same poll. Tuesday will also mark the beginning of head coach Naomi Kolarova's third season at Austin Peay; she led the Governors to the postseason for the first time in her tenure last season.

The Opposition

TTU

  • All-time vs. Tennessee Tech: 5-11-1
  • All-time vs. TTU in Clarksville: 2-3-2
  • Last Meeting: October 6, 2019 (L, 2-1)
  • Last Meeting in Clarksville: September 16, 2018 (W, 1-0)

Entering his seventh season at the helm of Tennessee Tech soccer, head coach Steve Springthorpe's squad posted a 4-3-3 mark in conference play last season and went 6-8-5 overall.

Goalkeeper Isabelle Austin was named to the OVC's Preseason Player to Watch List for Tennessee Tech. Last season, Austin ranked fifth in the conference in saves (86) and was tied for third in shutouts (3). Junior forward Cassidy Bereda is Tennessee Tech's top-returning scorer, she found the back of the net four times and dished out three assists last season.

In the last meeting with the Golden Eagles, the Govs got on the board first when a 51st minute header from Melody Fisher found the back of the net off a corner-kick assist from Larose. However, Austin Peay was unable to hold onto the lead and Tennessee Tech scored a pair of goals in the 83rd and 88th minute to win the match.

Notably

  • Austin Peay is set to kick off head coach Naomi Kolarova's long-awaited third season at the helm, Tuesday, when it takes the field for the first time since a Nov. 1, 2019 match against Belmont at the OVC Soccer Tournament -- 487 days ago.
  • The Governors will take the pitch at Morgan Bros. Soccer Field for the first time since Oct. 25, 2019 -- 494 days ago -- when they played to a 1-1 draw against Eastern Illinois. 
  • Last season, the Governors qualified for the OVC Tournament for the first time under Kolarova, dropping an overtime match to Belmont, 1-0, in the first round of the tournament.
  • Senior midfielder Claire Larose was named to the 2020-21 OVC Soccer Players to Watch List, she led the Governors with 11 points and 5 assists last season; she was also tied for the team lead with 3 goals.
  • After just three seasons at Austin Peay, Larose already ranks ninth all-time in goals (13) and tenth all-time in points (32).
  • 2019 OVC All-Newcomer Anna McPhie was the Governors second-leading scorer with eight points in her freshman campaign; she dished out a pair of assists and scored a team-high 3 goals.
  • Junior forward Rachel Bradberry came on strong for the Govs in conference play last season, where she scored all 3 of her goals; including a brace against Jacksonville State, Oct. 11, 2019.
  • In net the Governors return a pair of goaltenders who have yet to start a collegiate game. Peyton Powell played 87 minutes last season, making seven saves and allowing one goal; while Chloé Dion played 27 minutes and faced no shots on goal.
  • On Oct. 28 the OVC announced its teams would play a 10-game conference slate with matches played Tuesdays and Fridays; each team has a single bye date built into their schedule as well.
  • The OVC also decided the size of the OVC Championship field would be reduced to four teams as a one-year measure due to the challenges associated with the COVID-19 pandemic.

Fan Attendance Policies

For fans wishing to attend Austin Peay soccer matches, there will be limited general admission seating available, with free admission for all fans wishing to attend. The roster card for each match is available by accessing the game notes attached to this article and viewing the final page.

Austin Peay is holding soccer matches at Morgan Bros. Soccer Field in accordance with University, NCAA, and OVC guidelines. Additionally, the following policies are in effect for fans at Austin Peay soccer events:

  • Face coverings are required upon entry into Morgan Bros. Soccer Field and must be worn at all times – covering both an individual's mouth and nose – while in the facility, except while actively eating or drinking.
  • Seats in the bleachers at Morgan Bros. Soccer Field are marked with green and red stickers, fans may only sit in the seats marked by green stickers for appropriate social distancing.
  • Fans that wish to sit in the grass area in front of the bleachers may do so, but they must remain in the marked and socially distant boxes that are painted on the ground.

Austin Peay will strictly maintain social distancing measures at Morgan Bros. Soccer Field this season for the safety of fans, players, coaches, and staff. Individuals violating any of the above policies will be required to leave the facility.

Up Next

Austin Peay will be back in action when it plays a 7 p.m., Friday match against SIUE in Edwardsville, Illinois. The Govs will be back at Morgan Bros. Soccer Field when they host Jacksonville State for a 2 p.m., March 9 match.

In the time of COVID-19, there is always a chance that a match will be postponed or not come to fruition. For news, scheduling changes, and match-time updates, be sure to check back at LetsGoPeay.com or follow the Governors soccer Twitter account (@AustinPeayWSOC).

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