By: Bryce Weymouth, Sport Information Assistant

Oct. 6, 2008

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. – The Redhawks will open up their two game weekend homestand this Friday against Morehead State University with a start time of 7 p.m. and on Sunday the Redhawks will conclude their homestand as they take on Eastern Kentucky at 2 p.m. These will be the final two games of the regular season at Houck Stadium this year.

The Redhawks (1-6-2, 0-2-1 OVC) are coming off their first victory of the season as they defeated Alabama A&M Sunday. Senior Nicole Bussman led the way for the Redhawks with her first goal and first assist of the season. Junior Lauren Lacopo also tallied her first goal of the season.

The Redhawks took a season-high 14 shots on Sunday, five coming off the foot of senior Casey Kraft. In goal Jessica Beckham (1-6-2) recorded her first victory of the season as she allowed one goal while compiling three saves. Beckham has tallied 45 saves this season while allowing only 11 goals in nine matches for a goals against average of 1.16.

Scouting the Eagles

The Eagles (5-6-1, 2-0-1 OVC) are coming off a 4-0 victory over OVC rival Tennessee Tech Sunday. Freshmen Jillian Birchmeier led the way for Tech as she tied a school record with four goals in only 61 minutes of play. Samantha Yocke recorded her first shutout of the season as she tallied one save as the defense only allowed three total shots for the game.

Birchmeier leads the Eagles with eight goals on the season and a team-high 16 points. Erin Adams and Devan Jordan have also tallied 10 points for the Eagles.

Lily Meisner (2-1-0) and Samantha Yocke (2-5-0) have split time in goal for the Eagles. Meisner has a goals against average of 1.20 while recording 24 saves and one shutout. Yocke has allowed 10 goals this season while recording 38 saves for a save percentage of .792 and has also recorded one shutout.

Last year the Redhawks defeated the Eagles 3-2 at Jacobs Field. Ashley Runion and Kraft tallied a goal each in the victory.

The Redhawks lead the all time series with a 9-1-1 record, with their last lost to the Eagles coming in the 2005 season.

Scouting the Colonels

The Colonels (3-7-2, 1-1-1 OVC) recorded their first OVC victory of the year as they defeated Austin Peay 3-0 Sunday. The Colonels scored two goals within 10 seconds of each other in the second half to pull away from Austin Peay on their way to the 3-0 victory. Defensively, the Colonels allowed only six shots, with only four on goal. Stephanie Lynch (2-4-2) recorded four saves on way to her third shutout of the season.

Offensively, the Colonels are led by Kayla Swearingen who has four goals and eight total points for the season. Alex Hartwick chips in with two goals and one assist of her own, for a total of five points.

Lynch has recorded 74 saves on the season with a save percentage of .841 and a goals against average of 1.15.

Last year the Redhawks defeated the Colonels 9-0 at EKU Soccer Field. Runion recorded a career-high three goals in that game. Megan McGrath chipped in with two goals, Beckham and Kristi Frick also recorded a goal each.

The Redhawks have never lost to the Colonels as they have compiled a 3-0 all-time record.

This is the third and final game this season that will be live on WebCast. The multi-camera WebCast will be presented live at KFVS12.com for no cost.

 Redhawks Rally

Friday, Oct. 10 at 6 p.m. there will be a Redhawks Rally in front of Houck Stadium. Free hot dogs, popcorn and soda will be served before the volleyball and soccer games that night. Afterwards, head into either Houck Stadium or Houck Field House as the soccer and volleyball teams both host a game starting at 7 p.m. The soccer team will host Morehead State inside Houck Stadium, and the Redhawks volleyball team will take on Tennessee State.

Redhawks Rally will be a special 2-for-1 event. Fans can be admitted at either venue, and they will have full access to both games for the price of one!

All 2008 Walk for Women’s Athletics participants will receive FREE admission with their women’s walk t-shirt.