The Murray State soccer team traveled to Evansville, Indiana, where it shut out the University of Evansville Aces on Sunday, Sept. 25. 

The Racers were held scoreless as well, despite attempting five shots in the matchup. This resulted in a 0-0 draw.

Head Coach Matt Lodge commented on his team’s defensive performance.

“We made a few changes in the back,” Lodge said. “I think it had a positive impact on us as a team. We were able to get a little more consistency in the back, and we were clearing the ball pretty well instead of giving them second chances.” 

The Racers’ head coach also commented on how their offense can capitalize off of the opportunities given to them by the defense moving forward.

“I think we just need to be clinical,” Lodge said.“We’re creating the opportunities, but we seem to be a little too early or a little too late.”

Murray State had 14 fouls to Evansville’s 12. Each team had one corner kick each.

Racers’ senior goalie Jenna Villacres finished the game with three saves. This bumps her total saves up to 31 on the season. Villacres has saved 74% of the shots on goal she has faced so far. 

Although the team stands at 1-7-2, now is the most important time of the season. Murray State is still able to climb the conference leaderboards to get into good standing. Lodge has been preparing for this MVC portion of his team’s schedule.

“We’ve used the nonconference schedule as a way of figuring out our best 11 and then our best players that are going to give us the most depth,” Lodge said.

This was the Racers’ second MVC gam, and the team is still on the hunt for their first conference win. 

Lodge commented on what he’d like to see out of his team now that they are in conference play.

“Some desire to win,” Lodge said. “Obviously we haven’t won a MVC game yet. We’re 0-1-1. We picked up a valuable point in Evansville, but I need them just to understand that every game is three huge points that can help on the leaderboard. So it’s just to have that desire to win and that desire to punish teams.”

The Racers continue their MVC stretch by hosting the University of Illinois Chicago Flames at noon on Oct. 2 at Cutchin Field.

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