Photo by: MSU Athletics
The Murray State soccer team looks to host their 2018 season opener against Western Kentucky (Aug. 17) then quickly follow with a match versus Northern Kentucky (Aug. 19). The Racers, who will embark on their 19th season of collegiate soccer, are slated for a 3 p.m. start at Cutchin Field Friday followed by a 1 p.m. matchup at home on Sunday.
First-year head coach Matt Lodge leads the Racers into the 2018 season by building on the high expectations he helped set as an assistant over his four prior seasons. The Racers were crowned Ohio Valley Conference Champions for the third consecutive time in 2017 and advanced to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2015. Naturally, Murray State was recently tabbed OVC preseason favorites in the 2018 preseason poll as voted on by league head coaches and sports information directors.
MSU forward Rebecca Kubin returns to the Racers offensive front after making an explosive entrance into the OVC last season. Kubin finished fifth in the OVC in goals with seven and sixth in overall points with 17 to secure OVC Freshman of the Year. Last week, the sophomore proved to reassume her offensive role after scoring Murray State’s lone goal in their exhibition against Samford. Alongside her is 2017 OVC Tournament MVP Miyah Watford, who also aims to bring energy to the MSU offense.
Junior defender Karsyn Hasch and senior goalkeeper Alex Steigerwald are back in action for the navy and gold defense. Steigerwald, who lead the OVC last season with ten shutouts, had three saves in last Friday’s exhibition.
Murray State soccer will offer two promotions this week. The first 200 fans at Cutchin Field can celebrate the three-time OVC Champion Racers with OVC Championship commemorating t-shirts. Additionally, lemon shake-ups will be provided to all fans while supplies last.
Match Notes
Due to unforeseen equipment issues, Friday and Sunday’s soccer matches will not be available on the OVC Digital Network. Highlights and a full recap will be available following both matches on Goracers.com. Live stats for both games will be online for fans to follow at Goracers.com.
Murray State is 7-10-1 all-time in season openers. In the 2017 season opener, the Racers captured a 2-0 victory over the Marshall Thundering Herd.
Friday’s season opener serves as only MSU’s third season opener on home turf. Previously, the Racers competed in a 2014 contest against Arkansas State and most recently in 2017 against Marshall.
The Racers have faced Western Kentucky on five occasions in its history dating back to Sept. 5, 2001. The last regular season matchup at Cutchin Field between the two came in 2004.
Murray State has an all-time record of 1-4-0 against the Hilltoppers.
MSU defeated WKU 2-0 in a 2017 exhibition match at Cutchin field.
The Racers have faced Northern Kentucky four times, and most recently in 2017 with a 3-2 victory over NKU.
Murray State holds a 2-1-1 all-time lead over the Norse.
The Racers boast an impressive 157-154-36 record heading into their 19th season.
MSU is 89-58-13 all-time at Cutchin field.
Following the opener against WKU, Murray State will host the next two matchups at Cutchin Field with NKU (Aug. 19) and IUPUI (Aug. 24). The Racers will then travel to Oxford, Mississippi to take on Ole Miss (Aug 26.) before coming back home to face FAU (Aug. 31).
Courtesy of MSU Athletics
