Zias fall to Northeastern in soccer

TAHLEQUAH, Okla. — Northeastern State got two goals and an assist from Marie Widerman and defeated Eastern New Mexico University 4-1 on Friday in Lone Star Conference women's soccer.

Widerman assisted on a goal by Stacey Cutler just over three minutes into the game, then scored on a penalty kick to give NSU (11-3, 4-2 LSC) a 2-0 lead with 13 1/2 minutes gone.

ENMU freshman forward Megan Dozier scored her team-leading sixth goal on a breakaway late in the half, but Widerman countered by chipping in a shot from about 15 yards out early in the second half.

Deborah Brereton’s goal with under 20 minutes left salted the match away for the Lady Reds.

ENMU coach Travis McCorkle questioned the penalty call which led to Widerman’s first goal.

“The ball bounced up and hit one of my defenders in the hand, and she wasn’t even looking,” McCorkle said.

He added that Dozier had a chance for another breakaway goal near the end of the half which could have tied the score, but said she “just made her move too early.”

Freshman Carolyn Vincent went the distance in goal for the Zias (2-10, 1-5) and was credited with 13 saves. The Lady Reds had a 17-4 advantage in shots on goal.

“The girls gave it a pretty good effort,” said McCorkle, whose team plays its final road match of the regular season at East Central on Sunday. “Overall, I was pleased with how they played. We just have some little things that we have to get straightened out.”