Redhawks shut-out at home against Tennessee Tech

SEMO soccer fell 1-0 against the Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles on October 15.

It was the seventh time this season the Redhawks were shut out. The offense never found momentum during the match, registering six total shots, three being on goal. The Golden Eagles registered nine total shots, seven being on goal.

“We have two games left,” senior midfielder Faith Liljegren said. “We need to start finishing if we expect to go far in postseason.”

Tennessee Tech freshman forward Neve Renwick scored the lone goal of the competition in the 55th minute. The goal was assisted by senior midfielder Yao Giada Zhou off a corner kick. Tech out-tallied SEMO in corner kicks seven to one.

The Redhawks were out-possessed by the Golden Eagles, who controlled the ball for 55 percent of the match. The Redhawks were aggressive when they possessed the ball, consistently attacking within the 18-yard range of the goal but were unable to find a way to score.

Despite giving up a goal, SEMO’s defense held firm for 89 out of the 90 minutes played. The defense took away multiple scoring opportunities created by Tech within the 18-yard box and the 6-yard box.

“We’re pretty senior in our back five, so that’s been a huge part of it. We just need to keep doing it and being tough to attack in terms of giving up goals,” head coach Heather Nelson said.

The loss creates a difficult road for the Redhawks if they want to host matches for the Ohio Valley Conference Tournament. Their record fell to 2-3-2 in conference play, and they now sit in sixth place, which keeps them in tournament play. In order to host, SEMO will have to place fourth in the OVC.

“I’m expecting that we’re going to finish strong because we still have a lot to prove,” Nelson said.

The Redhawks will travel to Southern Indiana in their penultimate match on Oct. 19.