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Austin Peay Lady Govs Soccer faces UT Martin and Southeast Missouri in season’s first OVC road trip

APSU Sports: Austin Peay Soccer

Austin Peay State University Lady GovsClarksville, TN – Austin Peay State University women’s soccer team will be on the road for the first time since September 7th, this weekend. The Lady Govs travel to UT Martin for a 7:00pm, Friday, showdown before concluding the short Ohio Valley Conference road trip at 2:00pm, Sunday, at Southeast Missouri.

Austin Peay Soccer. (Courtesy: Brittney Sparn/APSU Sports Information)
Austin Peay Soccer. (Courtesy: Brittney Sparn/APSU Sports Information)

The Lady Govs were shut out for the fifth time this season in last weekend’s 1-0 home loss to Murray State, which dropped them to 4-6-0 this season. Despite averaging 16 shots and 1.7 goals per game (third-best in the OVC), the Lady Govs have scored the bulk of their goals in their wins (4.0 goals per game in wins) and have been stifled in their losses (one goal in six losses).

“We’ve spent this week refocusing and trying to get our team to believe,” said head coach Kelley Guth. “Last week’s game was really tough because I felt we played well enough to win and executed very well. We’ve got to finish our chances when we create them. If we do that, I think we have a tremendous opportunity to get some positive results on the road.”

The Lady Govs haven’t beaten UT Martin (3-4-3) since 2006 and trail the all-time series 2-7-1. Senior Kendyl Wilson (five goals, three assists) and freshman Saphyra Coombs-James (three goals, two assists) lead a solid Skyhawks offense. Three of the Skyhawks four losses have come to large-conference schools: Vanderbilt, Mississippi State and Purdue.

Southeast Missouri (1-6-3) was rocked by tragedy last week when Meghan Herndon, a senior defender, passed away due to injuries sustained in an auto accident. The Redhawks postponed last weekend’s matches and tied UT Martin 1-1, Tuesday in their return to action.

“We’re definitely saddened by what’s happened at SEMO,” Guth said. “It will be an emotional game for them.”

Keep An Eye On

Senior Emily Perkins needs one point to pass Adonia Bivins (2003-08) for sole possession of seventh place all-time on APSU’s career points list; the pair are currently tied with 22 points apiece.

With one goal this weekend, Tatiana Ariza would pass Ashley Beck (2005-08) for most goals in school history (31). With one assist, she would equal the fourth-best single-season mark in school history, tying her 2010 mark as well as Erin Mitchell (2004) and Andy Quiceno (2011).

Junior Natalia Ariza needs one point to break her tie with Kaylee Yago (2002-05) and Erica Dengler (2003-06) for fourth all-time in scoring; all three are currently deadlocked at 30. A goal for Ariza would move her past Yago and Dengler in points and tie her with the duo for fourth all-time in goals scored with 12.

With five saves, junior Haylee Shoaff will tie Michelle Smith (2006-08) for third all-time in career saves.

The Lady Govs host Belmont for the first time as an Ohio Valley Conference foe, next weekend, when the Bruins come to Clarksville for a 2:00pm, Sunday, October 7th match.

Lady Govs Online

Be sure to follow all the Lady Govs action at LetsGoPeay.com, and check them out on Twitter (@AustinPeaySocr) and by liking the Austin Peay Women’s Soccer Official Page on Facebook.

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