Eureka Stays Strong in 4-0 Loss to MacMurray

EUREKA – The Eureka women's soccer team battled St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference foe MacMurray under the lights of McKinzie Field in a chilly Wednesday evening, and nearly held the Highlanders scoreless in the second half of a 4-0 loss.

MacMurray's Jaycie Tibbets got the scoring started early for the Highlanders when she capitalized in the 11th minute after she found the ball at the top of the box and proceeded to rip it into the corner.

Only a minute later, Sydney Grant laid the ball off for Isabella VanDyke, who scorched the back of the net on near-post blast from 18 yards out.

MacMurray struck again in the 33rd minute as Krystal Kohenskey got on the board, creating space and slotting it past the keeper from difficult angle eight yards out.

The Highlanders' last goal came in the 46th minute. Kaylee McClanahan showed off her speed, leading the MacMurray counter attack all the way down the field and successfully finishing to make it 4-0.

The lone shot for the Red Devils came in the first half from midfielder Leona Reedy (Sullivan, Ill./Sullivan), and it was a dangerous opportunity for the Red Devils. The ball was cleared out by the Highlanders and Reedy corralled it and attempted a one-time shot from about 25 yards out.  MacMurray's Kayla Enoch made the save to keep EC off the board.

The Red Devils went on to stop the bleeding in the second half, nearly completing a single-half shut out. Led by sophomore Hannah Hamilton (Saybrook, Ill./Ridgeview), the Red Devils were able to successfully trap the Highlanders offside numerous times, which only allowed for MacMurray to put one goal away in the second 45.

Goalkeeper Abby Swope (Canton, Ill./Canton) made 16 saves for the home team.

The Red Devils are still looking to secure their first conference victory of the season. They'll be in action again on Friday evening at Greenville at 5 p.m.