Southeast soccer begins OVC play today against Murray St.

The Southeast Missouri State women's soccer team isn't easing into its Ohio Valley Conference schedule.

Southeast, the preseason OVC favorite, faces two other expected top contenders to begin league play.

Murray State visits Houck Stadium at 7 p.m. today, followed by Sunday's 2 p.m. home match against Tennessee-Martin.

While defending OVC regular-season and tournament champion Southeast was picked first in a preseason poll of the league coaches, Murray State was picked second and UT-Martin tied for third.

"I honestly think Murray State and Tennessee-Martin will be at the top of the OVC," Southeast coach Heather Nelson said. "Both are very good teams.

"In my opinion, for the OVC, this is a huge weekend."

Southeast (0-4-1) has not posted a victory, but the Redhawks will enter conference play on somewhat of a positive note.

The Redhawks notched their first goal of the season Monday to salvage a 1-1 tie with a strong Evansville squad.

"I feel good about us heading into the start of OVC," Nelson said.

Nelson is not surprised Southeast has struggled some so far. The Redhawks lost seven starters from last year's team that captured its second straight OVC tournament title.

The Redhawks also have been hampered by injuries, with senior standout Casey Kraft missing the first three games and all-conference sophomore Vanessa Hart missing the first five matches.

Hart is expected to be in the lineup tonight.

"It will be the first time we'll have our entire team on the field," Nelson said.

Murray State (4-4-1) has the second-best overall record heading into OVC play, while UT-Martin (5-2-1) has the top mark.

"These should be two very tough opponents," Nelson said.

Tonight will be Youth Soccer Night at Houck Stadium. All players from the Cape Girardeau and Jackson youth soccer organizations will receive free admission to the game if they wear their youth soccer jersey.

Volleyball hits road

The Southeast volleyball team faces two OVC road matches this weekend.

Southeast visits Jacksonville at 7 p.m. today and Tennessee Tech at 2 p.m. Saturday.

The Redhawks are 4-5 overall and 2-1 in OVC play after Tuesday's victory over Tennessee-Martin that concluded a three-match conference homestand.

Jacksonville State is 5-8 and 1-2, while Tennessee Tech is 5-8 and 2-1.

Southeast, Tennessee Tech and Austin Peay are tied for second in the 10-team OVC, one game behind 3-0 Morehead State.

Softball has games

The Southeast softball team opens its eight-game fall schedule today with a 5:15 p.m. doubleheader against Southern Illinois University in Carbondale.

Sunday the Redhawks play at Saint Louis University in a 2 p.m. doubleheader.

The Redhawks play two games in Dupo, Ill., Oct. 4, facing Missouri State at 3:30 p.m. and Missouri-Kansas City at 5:30 p.m.

Southeast concludes its fall schedule Oct. 12 with its only home action, a 2 p.m. twin bill against Meramec Community College.

Fall results do not count on the Redhawks' record.