The women’s soccer team lost 3-0 to Murray State Friday afternoon in a much needed win to secure a playoff spot.
Women’s soccer playing against Murray State on Friday
Murray State proved to be a dominant force in the Ohio Valley Conference and now sits in second place with a conference record of 7-2.
The weather conditions for the match — persistent rain and temperatures in the 50s — made for a sluggish contest.
Both offenses struggled in the first half as the rain came down. The Racers entered Friday’s matchup leading the conference in shots attempted but were held without a shot through the first 11 minutes.
The only offensive breakthrough in the first half for either team came when Murray State’s Miyah Watford scored in the 18th minute.
Belmont missed an opportunity to score in the 34th minute as Murray State’s goalkeeper was able to stop a free kick and preserve the first-half lead for the Racers.
The Racers finished with six shots in the first half, converting one, and the Bruins finished with three.
It looked like a slow start for the second half until the Racers’ Abby Jones tacked on another goal with a penalty kick in the 55th minute.
Women’s soccer playing against Murray State on Friday
The Bruins had another chance with their first corner kick with just eight minutes remaining, but Kameron Ziesig’s kick was deflected by Murray State defenders.
Murray State attempted consecutive corner kicks late in the game, both of which were handled by the Bruins’ defense. The defensive effort proved futile, as it was too late for Belmont to mount a comeback.
Murray State scored again with less than three minutes remaining as Watford’s second goal of the day dealt the final blow to the Bruins’ hopes of another conference win.
Belmont’s Erin Patterson launched the final shot as time expired, bringing the Bruins’ shot total to seven, just half of Murray State’s 14.
The Bruins fell to a record of 3-4-2 in conference play and 4-8-4 overall, but remain in seventh place, which is good enough to land a spot in the conference tournament if the team remains there.
Belmont will stay home for the weekend and host sixth-place Austin Peay University at Rose Park on Sunday at 2 p.m. to finish the season.
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This article written by Evan Dorian. Photos by Colby Crosby.