 It was an impressive season-opening display for the University of Evansville women’s soccer team on Thursday evening as the Purple Aces dealt preseason Ohio Valley favorites Murray State a 2-1 exhibition defeat at Arad McCutchan Stadium.
“We showed some good stuff today, but we were exposed at times with things that we need to work on,†UE head coach Krista McKendree said. “That’s what you want out of these games. Hopefully, we’ll leave here with some positives and things that we can build on going forward.â€
The win, which saw the defending Missouri Valley tournament champion Aces come-from-behind, comes just one week into preseason preparations for UE, which will open its 2016 regular season campaign at Xavier on Aug. 19. The next home game for the Aces will be one week later as Cincinnati will pay a visit to campus on Aug. 26.
Despite spending the early part of the game on the front foot, it would be the Racers who drew first blood with a well-worked goal as Harriet Witchers and Taylor Richerson linked up on the right side of the 18-yard box before laying it off for Madalyn Germann’s opening tally in the 25th minute.
Colleen Dierkes supplied the answer 15 minutes later with strike from just outside the box to level the affair in the 40th minute.
“I found an opening and took a shot,†Dierkes explained. “It was a great ball in from Jordin [Campbell] initially, and I just really wanted to get back even after the first goal because I didn’t feel like I was on my mark. I wanted to make sure that I could get the goal back and tie it up.
From there, Murray State would have its opportunities going forward in the second half, but the Aces seemed to rack up the chances, thanks in large part to the return of Montana Portenier after missing last season due to injury.
“We know what she’s capable of,†McKendree said of Portenier. “Our newcomers are learning how to play with her. They’re learning her strengths, and she’s learning the strengths of those around her. We’re going to create chances in games, and we have to make sure that we take advantage of those opportunities.â€
Portenier’s most frequent collaborator down the right flank in the second half seemed to be Sara Osinski, who ultimately broke through for the game-winning goal in the 75th minute with a long-distance strike of her own.
“Last season, we started off slow before having a great ending,†Dierkes said. “Being a senior this year, I feel like we need to be able to come out and show people that even though we lost those seniors, we’re still a good team. I’m happy we were able to come into this game and get the victory to show for all the hard work that we’ve been putting in during two-a-days this preseason.â€
The Aces will be back in action with another exhibition contest at Eastern Illinois on Sunday. Kickoff is slated for 1 p.m.
