Clarksville, TN – After falling behind in the just the third minute, the Austin Peay State University (APSU) soccer team fought back to tie the game at one, before Southeast Missouri downed the Governors with a goal late in the second half.
Rachel Bradberry found the back of the net in the 63rd minute to tie the game, 1-1. But the Redhawks had an answer in the 68th minute to take back the lead and hand the Governors their season’s first Ohio Valley Conference loss.
The Governors fell behind early when Cassidi Tomsu found the back of the net for the Redhawks in the third minute. Governors keeper Mary Parker Powell locked in after the early goal, making four first-half saves to keep the deficit at one.
Firing eight shots in the first 45 minutes, the Governors had their chances early. Sophomore Anna McPhie and junior Claire Larose each put a shot on net in the first, but neither was able to best the Redhawks keeper, and the Govs trailed heading into the break.
After subbing into the game in the 58th minute, sophomore Rachel Bradberry found a loose ball in front of the net, and buried it in the back of the Southeast Missouri net for her seasons first goal. The Bradberry equalizer in the 63rd minute did not keep the game tied for long, as Southeast Missouri scored the game winner in the 68th minute.
Larose extended her team lead in shots and shots on goal tonight, firing four shots with one on net. McPhie moved into second on the team in shots and shots on goal tonight, getting off four shots and putting two of them on goal.
Naomi Kolarova Thoughts
Opening remarks
“What a heart breaker, I’m so gutted for the girls. We battled for 90 minutes and again didn’t get the results we’re after. I can’t fault the work ethic and desire of this group, it is there. We are playing well, but not seeing it convert into wins yet. I have to give our girls credit, they’re giving 100 percent, they’re fighting for everything, and they believe in one another; I can’t ask for more than that. Their attitudes have been excellent, we just have to find a way to put more goals in and protect our net better.”
“I think we concede in key moments in games. We have talked about it as a team – the first five minutes in each half, the last five minutes in each half, and five minutes after a goal. It happened twice again tonight, so we have got to be better focused and play with more intensity in those moments. We have got to hold each other accountable to that too.”
Moving forward
“We have to bounce back for Sunday, there is a tight turn around, so there is no time to dwell on what-ifs. We need to come at Sunday’s game with the same work rate, but up the focus.”
Next Up For APSU Soccer
The APSU Women’s Soccer team will welcome UT Martin to Morgan Brothers Soccer Field for a 1:00pm Sunday match. The Skyhawks come to Clarksville after dropping a tough match at Murray State, 5-1. For news, scores, and updates on Sunday’s game follow along on Twitter (@AustinPeaySOCR).
