Photo - SEMO Media Guide
The efforts of a former Fort Campbell Falcon helped lead the Southeast Missouri women’s soccer team to the semifinals of the Ohio Valley Conference tournament. No. 5 Southeast Missouri (8-7-4) and No. 4 Belmont (10-6-2) battled to a 0-0 double overtime draw before the Redhawks prevailed in a shootout to advance to the semifinals of the Ohio Valley Conference Tournament Sunday.
SEMO picked up its first postseason win on penalty kicks since it beat Jacksonville State in the 2015 OVC Tournament. The Redhawks were outshot, 20-6, but weathered Belmont’s onslaught to keep things scoreless the entire way. Both teams then entered a shootout to decide who moved on.
SEMO and Belmont went back-and-forth for the first four shots. Tied, 4-4, Paige Blankenheim scored putting the pressure on the Bruins. Julie Garst’s kick then sailed over the crossbar securing the shootout win for the Redhawks. Kindra Lierz, Lesi Grote, Esmie Gonzaels and former Fort Campbell Falcon Katie Lever also made their penalty kicks leading up to Blankenheim’s decisive shot.
Lierz played the full 110 minutes in goal, adding eight saves along the way.
The Redhawks, who have gone unbeaten in their last five games, head to top-seeded Murray State on November 3rd.
(Courtesy SEMO Athletics)
