OVC newcomer Samford ends Otahks' conference winning streak

It has taken only three games for one of the Ohio Valley Conference's new kids on the women's soccer block to make a major statement.

Samford, one of two first-year OVC members, stunned two-time defending regular-season league champion Southeast Missouri State University 1-0 Friday night in front of about 150 fans at Houck Stadium.

The Bulldogs, from Birmingham, Ala., improved to 7-2-3 overall and 3-0 in OVC play. The Otahkians fell to 7-3-3 and 2-1 as they saw their 14-game regular-season conference winning streak end. Southeast had not suffered a regular-season league loss since 2000.

"This is absolutely a great win for us," Samford coach Todd Yelton said. "To be quite honest with you, I didn't know how we could compete in this conference. The only team we had played was Tennessee Tech and they beat the snot out of us last year."

Nobody beat the Bulldogs Friday as they brought a physical style of play to Cape Girardeau.

"We knew they were a top team coming in and we wanted to prove to the new conference that we could compete," said Samford freshman Kim Matthews, who scored the game's only goal midway through the first half.

Southeast coach Heather Nelson expected a rugged challenge from the Bulldogs, so their play did not surprise her.

"I knew they were a good team. They're hard working and they have a physical edge to their play," Nelson said. "We played all right. It was a good game and their keeper did a good job."

Samford's Crystal Royall posted her OVC-leading seventh shutout of the season by making seven saves, including a brilliant stop in the late going that preserved the victory.

"It's exciting to win the game," Royall said. "We always know if we play with heart, we can beat any team we play."

A little less than 25 minutes into the game, Matthews scored from a bad angle to the left side about 30 yards out. She lofted an innocent looking shot that kept carrying and angled into the far right corner of the net over Southeast keeper Amanda Wrzos. Marian Wagner received an assist after feeding Matthews on a throw-in.

Wrzos made two big saves early in the second half to keep the Otahkians within a goal. Wrzos finished with four saves.

Southeast, which outshot Samford 12-8 and had four corner kicks to none for the Bulldogs, nearly tied the contest with seven minutes remaining but Ashley DeRoy's shot from point blank range was knocked away by a diving Royall. Marla Gianino then shot the rebound just wide.

"On a save like that, you don't have time to think, you just have to react," Royall said.

Said Yelton, "SEMO has a great team and it was a great battle tonight. Crystal made a great save or it's 1-1."

The Otahkians will try to bounce back Sunday when the other first-year OVC member -- Jacksonville State from Alabama -- visits Houck Stadium for a 2 p.m. contest.

"We just have to take care of business and hope somebody beats Samford," Nelson said.

Samford faces another tough test Sunday when it visits Eastern Illinois, which has won the past two OVC Tournament titles.Volleyball defeats Tech

Southeast's volleyball team picked up its second win of the season over Tennessee Tech as the Otahkians prevailed 30-26, 31-29, 30-26 Friday night in Cookeville, Tenn.

The Otahkians improved to 4-14 overall and 3-2 in OVC play. The Eaglettes fell to 6-11 and 1-3.

Suzanne Gundlach led the Otahkians in kills with 12. Freshman Jessie Koeper from Jackson High School had nine while Sarah Frost and freshman Danielle Pegram added eight each.

Jill Miller led in digs with 11. Emily Scannell recorded 29 assists, nine digs and six kills.

Tech's Laura Sidorowicz had a match-high 19 kills.

Southeast returns to action today with a 2 p.m. OVC match at Austin Peay in Clarksville, Tenn.

Cross country in action

The Southeast men's and women's cross country squads will participate in today's OVC Preview meet at the Futures Golf Club in Puryear, Tenn. Murray State is the host.

Competing along with Southeast and Murray State will be Eastern Illinois and Tennessee State. There will be a 3.1-mile women's race at 10 a.m., followed by a 5-mile men's race at 10:45 a.m.

Murray State will host the 11-team OVC Championships on Nov. 1 on the same course.