Rachel Essner
Staff Writer
The Murray State soccer team finished their regular season at Cutchin Field against Eastern Illinois University on Tuesday, April 6, where the Racers dominated with a 4-0 win to finish 9-1 overall.
The Racers were quick to score as freshman forward Chloe Barnthouse finished a rebound shot from senior forward Rebecca Kubin in the third minute to give the Racers a 1-0 advantage.
Sophomore forward Lilly Strader doubled the Racers’ lead in minute 13 after finding the net off a pass from sophomore midfielder Lauren Payne, putting the Racers ahead 2-0.
Murray State kept the 2-0 advantage into halftime, outshooting the Panthers 13-5 in the first half.
The Racers went straight back to work in the second half when Barnthouse collected her second goal of the day in the second minute of half two. Barnthouse headed in a goal off a cross from senior midfielder Izzy Heckman to widen the margin 3-0.
Barnthouse struck again with another headed goal in the 36th minute of the second half, finding the net off a pass from freshman defender Riley Johnson to give the Racers their final goal and a 4-0 win.
With Barnthouse’s three goals, she became the first Racer since forward Julie Mooney (2011-14) in 2014 to complete a hat-trick performance. Barnthouse also has a team-high seven goals this season.
“It’s what we see every day in training,” said Head Coach Matt Lodge. “She’s so dangerous, not only behind the defense, but in the air too. She had two headers today and could have probably had three or four.”
Lodge said Barnthouse was originally not supposed to start but because of a teammate’s injury during the warmup she was able to.
“I think going from not starting to scoring a hat trick is pretty cool,” Lodge said.
Strader recorded her fourth goal of the season, while sophomore goalkeeper Jenna Villacres tallied her third shutout. The Racers’ offense totaled 29 shots in the game.
“Thanks to the fans that came out today,” Lodge said. “These girls deserve it. They’ve put in so much work to get what we got today.”
The Racers will compete at home against Southeast Missouri State University on Thursday, April 15, at 11 a.m. in the semifinal game of the OVC Tournament.
