Sept. 5, 2004

Box Score

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. -

The Southeast Missouri State women's soccer team bounced back from a disappointing loss to 14th-ranked Illinois on Friday night with a 3-2 victory over non-conference opponent Xavier (0-4). Sophomore Molli Beard scored two goals, including the game winner in the 74th minute to secure Southeast's third victory of the season.

Southeast (3-1) quickly fell behind the Musketeers when Melissa Clavier scored in the 20th minute on a header from the top of the box that goalkeeper Amanda Wrzos initially blocked, but the ball then deflected off a Southeast defender and trickled in for the 1-0 lead.

Southeast then went on the offensive. During the 32nd minute, Southeast had two excellent scoring chances. Heather Reding weaved through numerous Xavier defenders and passed to a charging Lauren Costello, whose shot attempt was smothered by Musketeer goalkeeper Andrea Garber. Later Lisa Schweppe passed to a wide open Beard, but Garber made another sprawling save to rob Beard. Emily Newsham also challenged Garber in the 28th minute; however her shot was blocked by a diving Garber.

Southeast finally broke through with a Lisa Schweppe header from in the box, from freshman Alaina Lacopo's pass, that bounced pass Garber into the right corner off the goal. For Schweppe it was her second goal of the season. Senior Marla Gianino was also credited with an assist, for Lacopo it was her first career collegiate assist.

Southeast wasted no time scoring their second goal. Gianino found a wide open Beard off a corner kick, that Beard put pass a lunging Garber for the 2-1 lead.

It was Gianino's second assist of the game and her team-leading third of the season. The two assists upped her school record to 21 career assists.

In the second period, Xavier came out aggressively, attacking the Southeast defense. They drew a penalty kick, which Lauren Giesting put pass a diving Wrzos to tie the game up 2-2.

The Southeast defense then tightened up and did not allow a single shot on goal the rest of the period. Xavier did their best to match the Southeast defense, but Ashley DeRoy broke away from the defense and found a streaking Beard who put a well place cross from DeRoy past Garber for what would be ultimately the game winner.

For Beard it is her second career two-goal game.

Southeast out-shot Xavier 13-8 and had 9 shots on goal compared to 4 for the Musketeers. Southeast also had 6 corner kicks versus 2 for Xavier.

The two goals scored by Xavier, doubled their season total coming into the game. They had only one goal in three games.

Wrzos recorded two saves to tie her with assistant soccer coach Beth Guccione for first in the Southeast record books in career saves with 153. Wrzos got the win; she is now 3-1 this season.

Southeast will travel to Chicago to take on Big Ten for Northwestern on Sunday, September 12. Game time is 12:00 pm.