Murray State’s women’s soccer team opened up OVC play with a win 4-1 over Southeast Missouri University, marking the first win in the OVC for first-year Head Coach Matt Lodge.

“It feels good; I think as a first time head coach following a successful three or four years I got a little bit of pressure,” Lodge said. “We’ve got players who can score goals from nothing and as long as we defend we can attack fine.”

The game had no goals in the first half, but senior defender Karsyn Hatch and sophomore defender Bri Caccavale both were carded in the 45th minute.

In the 49th minute, senior midfielder Caroline Ashton opened the scoring sheet when she found the back of the net for her first goal of the season.

After Murray State took the lead, sophomore midfielder Annamarie Arino was booked along with SEMO freshman Katie Wegman.

Freshman Abby Jones then doubled the lead for the Racers when she scored from the spot in the 63rd minute for her third goal of the season.

Shortly after the Racers’ second goal, SEMO answered with a goal from a free kick in the 68th minute. , Murray State senior forward Miyah Watford answered by cashing in her chance from the penalty spot to make the game 3-1. This put Watford’s goal total on the season at seven.

Senior forward Emma Heise scored an insurance goal in the 87th minute to cap off the 4-1 win for the Racers.

“I have actually never won here in my five years,” Lodge said. “This is the first time I won as a coach. I couldn’t be more proud of the girls; they’ve worked hard.”

Murray State will stay on the road and play against the University of Georgia, it’s second SEC opponent this year, at 1 p.m. on Sunday, September 16 in Athens, Georgia.