SportsNovember 4, 2011
A goal by Morehead State midfielder Paige Weber with 52 seconds left likely ended Southeast's season.

Morehead State ended the Southeast Missouri State University women's soccer team's season with a goal scored in the final minute of play.

Midfielder Paige Weber broke a 1-1 tie with only 52 seconds remaining. She scored from 20 yards out to advance Morehead State to the OVC championship game on Sunday at 1 p.m. at Houck Stadium.

Weber's last-minute goal likely ended the Redhawks season and the careers of the six senior Southeast players. The loss means that Southeast can't win an automatic berth to the NCAA national tournament.

Southeast took a 1-0 lead in the 21st minute off a header by forward Jessie Crabtree.

The ball went through the fingertips of Morehead State goalkeeper Katie Blevins and was headed in by Crabtree. Midfielder Laruen Bozesky set Crabtree up for the score with an ideal cross through the box.

"I felt we played our style of game for the first 30 minutes," Southeast coach Heather Nelson said. "They played better the next 50 minutes or so."

Morehead State scored its first goal in the 56th minute. Forward Jillian Birchmeier shot the ball from 30 yards out and it just got under the hands of Southeast goalkeeper Ashton Aubuchon.

Nelson described the game as more long-ball, with each team kicking the ball up field, which she thought benefited Morehead State's style of play. Both of Morehead State's goals were created off of scrambles rather than set plays.

"[Morehead State is] definitely tough, experience was on their side," Nelson said. "Our seniors won't roll over for nothing."

Nelson believes Southeast's seniors left the program in good shape. She's sad to see the season end, but said Morehead State played a good game.

"I'd do it all over again with this group of athletes," Nelson said.

Southeast won the OVC regular-season title and finished the season 12-6-1 ovreall, with an 8-1-0 OVC record.

Story Tags