Oct. 8, 2004

Box Score

Birmingham, Ala. -

In what could be a preview of a possible Ohio Valley Conference Championship game, Samford got the better of Southeast, 1-0 at Bulldog Field in Birmingham, Alabama. Both teams came into the game evenly matched in everything except records. Samford had the better conference record at 3-0, while Southeast had the better overall record at 7-2-1. The game played out as advertised as the two equal teams played great soccer, with a Kim Matthews goal in the 20th minute being the only hiccup for Southeast.

That was all Samford (5-4, 4-0 OVC) gave Southeast (7-3-1, 2-1-1 OVC) their first conference loss of the year and their first loss to a non-Big Ten opponent.

Samford, winners of five straight, and Southeast each recorded 12 shots apiece and four corner kicks apiece. Southeast held the advantage in shots-on-goal, 4-3, but Samford Crystal Royall stood her ground and made each save.

Southeast goalkeeper was just impressive making three saves, but allowing Matthews early goal.

Matthews, the 2003 OVC Freshman of the Year, a midfielder from Colleyville, Texas, gathered a pass from Heather Birdsell and one-timed a laser into the bottom right corner of the net. With the score, Matthews' second of the 2004 season, Samford took a decisive 1-0 lead. Rebecca Bohler was also credited with the assist.

Molli Beard led Southeast with three shots.

Next for Southeast southern road trip is another tough match-up, this time Jacksonville State. The two teams will play on Sunday at 1:00 PM.

Samford (5-4-0, 4-0-0) def. Southeast Missouri (7-3-1, 2-1-1), 1-0
SEMO 0 0 - 0
SAM 1 0 - 1
Scoring: SAM, Kim Matthews (2) 19:41 (assists Rebecca Bohler and Heather Birdsell).
Saves: SAM, Crystal Royall 4; SEMO, Carina Souza 3.
Yellow Cards: SEMO, Maria Gianino (53:41), Megan Matter (88:02); SAM, Marian Wagner (89:44).