September 29, 2023 – Emporia State scored one goal in each half on their way to a 2-0 win over Northeastern State on Friday night.
In the first half, Emporia State defended often as the Riverhawks attacked with the wind at the backs in the first period. Northeastern State was able to record five shots in the first 20 minutes, including two on target within the first five minutes which forced saves from goalkeeper
Mackenzi Goen.
Through the first half hour of the match, the Hornets were outshot 6-4 until they were able to grab the lead just under 35 minutes into the match.
In the 35
th minute, the Hornets played a cross in the Riverhawk box which was cleared into the path of
Alexis Cole who gained control. Cole passed one defender before shielding off a second and placing a left-footed shot past the keeper into the bottom right corner to give Emporia State a 1-0 lead over Northeastern State.
The Hornets held off the Riverhawks over the final ten minutes of the first half to take their 1-0 lead into the halftime break.
Despite the wind advantage for Northeastern State, the Hornets and Riverhawks tied with seven shots each in the first half.
Following the break, Emporia State came out on the front foot as the wind advantage shifted in their favor.
The Hornets were able to control much of the half and retain possession in the Northeastern State half of the field as the Riverhawks tallied just one shot in the first 15 minutes after the break. In the 65
th minute, a foul by Emporia State in the box awarded Northeastern State a penalty.
The Riverhawk penalty was sent just over the crossbar as the Hornets held on to their 1-0 lead.
Emporia State broke through for their second goal in the 79
th minute on a goal from
Kyleigh Roe.
Following a throw-in, the Hornets pressured the Riverhawk backline who stopped the immediate threat, but only cleared the ball as far as
Kyleigh Roe around 25 yards from goal. Roe sidestepped a defender before hitting a strike that beat the Northeastern State goalkeeper high in the middle of the net to give the Hornets a 2-0 lead.
The Hornets were able to allow just one more shot from the Riverhawks as they held on for the 2-0 win for their first MIAA victory of the season.
Alexis Cole and
Kyleigh Roe each scored their first goal of the season in the match for the Hornets.
Emporia State will return to action on Sunday, October 1 against Rogers State. The match is scheduled to begin at 2:00 p.m.
