Runion earns tournament MVP

~ The Freshman scored both of Southeast's goals in the tournament.

Southeast Missouri State soccer coach Heather Nelson expected freshman Ashley Runion to make a solid impact on the Redhawks this year.

And Runion herself believed she could earn quality playing time.

But neither Nelson nor Runion expected the type of fireworks Runion has provided during her rookie collegiate season.

Runion followed up being voted the Ohio Valley Conference freshman of the year last week by earning OVC tournament MVP honors Sunday as the Redhawks won the title by beating Samford in penalty kicks.

Southeast Missouri State's Margie Schaeffler kept the ball away from Samford's Heather Birdsell the first half Sunday at Houck Stadium.

Runion scored both Southeast goals during the tournament, the game-winner in Friday's 1-0 semifinal victory over Tennessee-Martin and the tying goal late in regulation Sunday.

A graduate of Ft. Zumwalt South High School in St. Peters, Mo., Runion leads the conference in points with 27, and she is second in goals with a team-leading 11, which is also the second-highest single-season total in school history.

"I knew she was good, but she continues to impress me. She is fearless in the air," Nelson said. "She's had an amazing freshman year, and she takes everything in stride. She's a great person."

The soft-spoken Runion acknowledges that she is not comfortable in the spotlight.

But it was hard to avoid Sunday after the Redhawks captured their second straight OVC tournament title to make the NCAA tournament for the second year in a row.

Southeast Missouri State's Ashley Runion watched her header elude Samford goalkeeper Cayley Winters for Southeast's lone goal during the second half of the championship game of the OVC tournament Sunday at Houck Stadium. Samford defender Heather Birdsell looked on. Runion scored off a pass from teammate Alaina Lacopo. (Fred Lynch)

"I was not expecting all this," said Runion of her impressive rookie campaign.

Of winning tournament MVP honors, Runion said: "I was surprised, because everybody did awesome."

Other Southeast players joining Runion on the all-tournament team were senior forward Alaina Lacopo, senior goalkeeper Lindsay Pickering and freshman midfielder Vanessa Hart.

Lacopo assisted on Runion's goal Sunday, giving her an OVC-high nine this year, which ties the school single-season record. She was already Southeast's career assists leader.

Pickering, the OVC defensive player of the year, has a conference-high eight shutouts this season. She is the OVC career leader in shutouts.

Southeast Missouri State's Vanessa Hart attempted a shot as Samford's Kat Sweatt defended. (Fred Lynch)

Hart, like Runion, has had an impressive freshman season as both made second-team all-conference.

Rounding out the all-tournament squad were Samford's Heather Birdsell, Cindy Spiker and Cassie Applegate; Eastern Illinois' Kathleen Hayes and Michelle Steinhaus; and Tennessee-Martin's Katie Beherns and Jamie Price.

Selections tonight

ESPNNEWS will reveal the NCAA tournament pairings in a live broadcast at 7 p.m. tonight.

The Redhawks will gather at Buffalo Wild Wings to watch the selection show. The public is invited to attend.