Ronan Summers
Contributing Writer
[email protected]

Murray State’s soccer team traveled to Cincinnati, Ohio, to play the University of Cincinnati on Sunday, Aug 28. The Racers fell to the Bearcats 2-0.

While their defense couldn’t hold off the Bearcats’ attack in the first half, a scoreless second half kept the score a bit more respectable.

The first goal of the game came from the Bearcats’ senior defender Ashley Barron in the 11th minute, with an assist from graduate midfielder Brandi Thomsen.

There was quite a bit of time between Cincinnati’s first goal and its next. The Racers put up a good fight but eventually allowed Cincinnati to score once more. 

A second Bearcat shot hit the back of the net in the 45th minute. This one was from junior forward Ellie Flower, assisted by freshman defender Maddie Swingle. This cushion allowed the Bearcats to coast to the end for the win. 

The Racers were led by freshmen midfielders Mary Hardy and Tori Schrimpf, as each attempted one of the three total shots on goal from Murray State.. The third shot on goal was off of senior midfielder Grace Bodker’s foot. Unfortunately for the Racers, they were 0/3 shooting. 

The Bearcats had six shots on target, but the Racers’ senior goalkeeper Jenna Villacres was able to put a stop to four of them. In total, Cincinnati put up 12 shots compared to Murray State’s three. 

The Racers finished the matchup with six corner kicks, one more than the Bearcats’ five. The Racers also committed 10 fouls—six less fouls than Cincinnati’s 16. 

As the Racers continue to try and land their first win of the season with their record now at 0-4, Murray State has an old OVC rival on the horizon.

UT Martin travels to Murray to take on the Racers at 1 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 4 on Cutchin Field.