After a weather cancellation cut the SEMO women’s soccer season opener against the University of Missouri-St. Louis short, the Redhawks played their first complete game against former Ohio Valley Conference rival, Murray State on Sunday at Houck Stadium.

SEMO fell to the Racers by a score of 2-1 with the lone goal for the Redhawks coming off the foot of senior midfielder Elizabeth Rater.

“I saw her[Murray State goalkeeper] before I got the ball and when I had the ball she dove when I went left so I just shot and it felt perfect, just like in practice then I just hoped it went in,” Rater said. “After I saw it go in the net I couldn’t believe it, I ran to Justi[Nelson] and we just started celebrating. Seeing the happiness on my teammates' faces was amazing.”

Murray State controlled the ball for most of the first half with SEMO only having one good chance to score when a header off a corner kick went wide right of the goal.

The Racers scored in the seventh minute after SEMO lost possession on an errant pass allowing Murray State to have a basketball-style ‘fast break’ to the goal.

The Redhawks went into halftime down 1-0, SEMO head coach Heather Nelson said despite the two goals allowed her team got better as the game went on.

“We got more up to game speed and we had more people working hard in the midfield,” Nelson said. “There was an entire unit up front, so I think we started connecting a lot better.”

The two teams went back and forth in the second half with SEMO having more chances to score but converting in the 85th minute when Rater scored the equalizer.

Nelson said the difference was finally getting a shot on goal.

“Having someone put a ball in the frame was huge, I felt like we were all around it and did have some good looks,” Nelson said. “We weren't off-frame by much tonight, so I think good things will come from it.”

Murray State did not allow the Redhawks to be tied for very long, they scored on the ensuing kickoff in seven seconds to go up 2-1 and hold on for the win.

Nelson said it is not uncommon to give up a quick score after a goal and it will be a good learning opportunity this early in the season.

SEMO soccer returns to Houck Field on Thursday at 6 p.m. to take on cross-river rival Southern Illinois.