CHARLESTON, ILLINOIS — #5 Southern Ind. advanced in the 2025 OVC Championship with a dominant 2-0 victory over #8 Southeast Mo. St. on Thursday, controlling the match from start to finish. The Eagles struck twice in the second half to secure their second consecutive win and keep their tournament hopes alive. The result leaves the Redhawks, who entered the match winless in conference play, searching for answers as their season winds down.
Southern Ind. broke through in the 79th minute when Charli Grafton found the back of the net off an assist from Peyton Murphy and Emma Thurston, giving the Eagles their first goal of the match. The breakthrough came after sustained pressure throughout the second half, and the home side didn't relent. Emma Schut added an insurance goal in the 85th minute to seal the victory and end any hopes of a Southeast Mo. St. comeback.
The first half remained scoreless despite both teams creating opportunities. Southeast Mo. St. generated early chances through Emily Baker and Emma Cloud, who each fired shots that sailed high. Southern Ind. responded with efforts from Josie Pochocki and Emma Thurston, but neither side could find the net. The Eagles controlled possession for stretches but couldn't convert their chances into goals before halftime.
After the break, Southern Ind. came out with renewed intensity and began dictating play. The Eagles' midfield controlled the tempo, limiting Southeast Mo. St.'s ability to build attacks. Eva Boer tested the Redhawks' defense with several attempts, while Emma Schut created problems from multiple angles. Southeast Mo. St. tried to counter but couldn't generate the quality chances needed to trouble Southern Ind.'s goalkeeper.
Southern Ind. outshot Southeast Mo. St. 13-11 overall and held a 7-5 advantage in shots on goal. Both teams recorded five saves, but the Eagles' finishing proved the difference. The Redhawks earned five corner kicks to Southern Ind.'s three, yet failed to capitalize on set-piece opportunities. A yellow card issued to Southern Ind. in the 66th minute was the only disciplinary action of the match.
Grafton's opening goal shifted the momentum decisively. The Eagles' defense tightened after taking the lead, and Southeast Mo. St. never mounted a serious threat to equalize. Schut's second-half performance was particularly influential, as she consistently found space and forced Southeast Mo. St.'s backline into difficult decisions. The combination of Grafton's finishing and Schut's creativity proved too much for the Redhawks to handle.
Southeast Mo. St. entered the tournament with a 2-15-2 record and extended their struggles with the loss. The Redhawks managed just five shots on goal and couldn't break through a Southern Ind. defense that remained organized throughout. Emily Baker and Emma Cloud led the attacking efforts but found little support in the final third.
Southern Ind. improved to 8-7-4 with the victory, riding momentum from last week's 1-0 win over Western Illinois. The Eagles' defense has been stingy in recent matches, and that trend continued here. The win positions Southern Ind. well for their next tournament matchup against #4 Eastern Illinois on November 2nd, where they'll look to maintain this form and advance deeper into the championship.