Two years ago, Murray State were in the Missouri Valley Conference championship game. Last year, the Racers lost in the second round of the tournament in a penalty kick shootout to UIC. In year three, the Racers will look to get back to the title game and see it go their way.
The Racers will look to build off the season that junior forward Mary Hardy had in 2023, which saw her lead the team in goals (8), assists (3), points (19), total shots (47) and shots on goal (26). She was also top five in the MVC in total shots while being top three in goals, assists and points.
Hardy was named to the MVC preseason first team All-Conference team heading into the new season. She was also named first team All-Conference at the conclusion of 2023 and was also named to the 2022 All-Newcomer team.
Hardy won’t be alone in the attack as graduate midfielder Hailey Cole will look to ease some of the pressure that Hardy is sure to face. Cole was second on the team in goals, points, total shots, and shots on goal last season. Cole was also tied for second in assists with Sydney Etter and Audrey Henry with two last year.
Attacking play will be in good hands for the Racers but it shouldn’t overshadow the goalkeeper play going into the 2024 campaign. Sophomore Griselda Revolorio had a great 2023 season which saw her make 57 saves out of 162 shots that she faced in the 16 matches she played, which ranked her first in the MVC in save percentage. Revolorio’s other conference ranks saw her tied for fourth in shutouts, seventh in total saves, and second in goals against average. Her goals against average total also ranked 19th nationally.
The Racers were voted to finish sixth in the MVC preseason poll that was released by the conference on Aug. 14. Missouri State, Drake, Illinois-Chicago, Northern Iowa and Valparaiso make up the top five. Murray State was the only team outside of the top five to receive a first place vote.
The 25th season officially begins when the team traveled to the University of Cincinnati on Aug. 15 where they lost 2-1.
The home opener at Cutchin Field takes place on Aug. 22 when the Racers play the Xavier Musketeers.
The non-conference slate finishes with a trip to the University of Kentucky on Sept. 5, a home matchup with Jackson State on Sept. 12, and then a road match to Grambling State on Sept. 15.
The 10-game Missouri Valley Conference season begins with a road match against Evansville on Sept. 22, with the home conference opener being against UIC on Sept. 26.
The home games of the 2024 season conclude with back-to-back games against Indiana State on Oct. 17 and Valparaiso on Oct. 20 for Senior Day.
The MVC slate closes out with a trip to Northern Iowa on Oct. 24 and Drake on Oct. 27 before the MVC Tournament begins at various locations on Oct. 31.
