After taking their first Missouri Valley Conference win on Thursday Murray State women’s soccer battled to a 1-1 draw against Illinois Chicago on Sunday at Cutchin Field. Seniors Lauren Payne and Saraya Young highlighted the day for MSU with a goal and an assist, respectively.
The Racers grabbed the early lead in the seventh minute of the match after Young delivered a perfect pass across the face of goal to Payne who was there to power in a header into the top corner. The goal is the 10th of Payne’s career and her second this season while the assist gives Young five on her career and three this season.
MSU looked the stronger side for much of the match, controlling 59 percent of the possession and outshooting the Flames 8-5. Each team put four shots on goal while the Racers had more corner kicks on the day by a count of 3-2.
UIC was able to equalize in the 81st minute following a muddle in the box after a throw-in.
Freshmen Megan Wilson and Tori Schrimpf each played the entire 90 minutes along with four other Racers in Audrey Henry, Grace Bodker, Morgan Bodker, and Camille Barber.
The Racers next challenge comes in the form of Missouri State Bears who sit atop the MVC table. Murray State and Missouri State face-off on Thursday in Springfield, Mo.