The Southeast Missouri State University women's soccer team (3-3) finished non-conference play Friday at Arkansas State (3-6) before opening up meaningful Ohio Valley Conference games starting at Eastern Illinois (1-7-1) this Friday.

The Redhawks have posted a 3-3 record so far this season, and with conference games looming, their final non-conference game was a big one according to coach Heather Nelson.

"Well, I definitely would like to go into conference being .500, I think that's fair for where we're at," Nelson said.

Senior forward Breana Beine scored all of Southeast's three goals against Arkansas State to get it to .500.

"I think although we dropped the game at Evansville, the game could have gone either way," Nelson said referring to the team's 1-0 loss at Evansville. "It was just one of those things where we didn't come out on top, so [I'm] not feeling horrible about the outcome other than we would have liked it to be either a win or a tie, but I do think, you know, momentum-wise and confidence wise, a win [against Arkansas State] would be where we would like to be moving forward from."

Throughout the first six games of the season, Nelson has evaluated her team to see how it will perform during conference play.

"In non-conference, we try to challenge ourselves enough that we've got all of our weaknesses identified," Nelson said. "I think the schedule we've played has identified most of what we really need to know to be prepared. Conference play is just different in that it means so much."

Of the 25 women on Nelson's roster, 14 are freshmen and sophomores, including nine newcomers this season. She said she has been pleasantly surprised with some of her new talent, and certain players she thought would have more of a reserve role are starting to see significant playing time as she finalizes her lineup.

"We've been working with tweaking the lineup a little bit differently to see what players work better with others, and I think we're at a point where we have a good idea of what players have been working at a consistently high level for us," Nelson said. "By the time we hit conference, we won't be making so many adjustments in our lineup."

Two players, sophomore midfielder/forward Natasha Minor and freshman goalkeeper Kindra Lierz, will be mainstays in Nelson's lineup this season. Minor is coming off of a freshman season where she earned a spot on the OVC All-Newcomer Team and already has a goal and assist this season.

"It's a lot easier having that year of experience, for sure, because you know what the competition is going to be like, you know the level of play, it's a lot faster and the girls are a lot more physical. So, knowing that, you can mentally prepare yourself a little bit better," Minor said.

Minor believes that the team's work ethic and aggressiveness is going to be what propels them going forward in the season.

"A lot of tenacity," Minor said. "These girls are here to play. Our tackling has gotten a lot better, which is great for winning any 50-50 ball. I think if you can do that, then I think we'll be golden."

Lierz is minding the goaltending position and said she is ready for conference play to begin as she starts to settle in and familiarize herself with Division I talent.

"My coach told me I had to act like a senior coming straight out, so that's a big weight on a freshman's shoulders, but I get a lot more confidence especially with my coaches and team behind me," Lierz said.

Lierz has started all six games for the Redhawks and has recorded 21 saves along the way.

"My team is very quick," Lierz said. "We have a lot of speed behind us and I feel like that's going to give us an edge, especially if we get a one-on-one or have to pace someone down the line, my team is quick enough and can find a way to get creative to get down the line."

There are still improvements to be made, Lierz said.

"We've definitely been trying to work on crossing and finishing. I feel like my team is getting a lot better at that, and so we should be a threat there this season," Lierz said.

The Redhawks have split the scoring differential 8-8 so far this season and Lierz has recorded three shutouts.

After beginning conference play against Eastern Illinois, Southeast will open a three-game homestand against UT Martin (6-3) on Friday, Oct. 3. UT Martin led the OVC conference last year by going 8-2 in conference play.

The Redhawks finished third overall in the OVC last season and hope to improve upon their overall 9-6-3 record from last year. Following UT Martin, the team will welcome Murray State (4-5) and Austin Peay (1-7).