The Missouri State men's soccer team answered its first loss of the season Friday with a commanding 2-0 victory over Big East Conference member Georgetown University, Sunday in Omaha, Neb., in the third game of the Ameritas Classic hosted by Creighton. Senior co-captain Justin Douglass scored what proved to be the game winner in the 12th minute of play and junior Ryan Anderson notched his first goal of the season in the 31st minute to lead the Bears to victory. Missouri State improves to 2-1-1 on the season, while Georgetown falls to 1-3.
Douglass got the Bears on the scoreboard early with a header off of a Kyle Hopson corner kick. Junior Yanik Joseph also assisted in the goal, putting the Bears on top 1-0 within the first 12 minutes of the match. The eventual game winner for the defender Douglass was the first of his career and third career goal overall.
Anderson's goal came on a six-yard one-timer past Georgetown goalkeeper Joe Devine, with assists from freshman Will Ziegahn and junior Michael Bennett. The goal was Anderson's first of the season, after leading the Bears and the Missouri Valley Conference with 15 a year ago.
The first half was dominated by the Bears, as they scored the game's only two goals and outshot the Hoyas 12-2. The Bears held the advantage in shots on goal, 6-0, for the period.
The Bears' defense was stifling all day, holding the Hoyas to only six shots for the match, while the Bears fired 18. Junior goalkeeper Lance Parker picked up his first win between the pipes on the season, recording one save. GU's Devine (1-3) recorded six saves in the loss.
Offensively, the Bears were led by Anderson, who fired six shots on the day, including the goal. Douglass, Joseph, sophomore Justin Alford, and junior Omar Shoucair all contributed two shots in the match.
Missouri State will host the Quality Inn & Suites/Diadora Tournament next weekend, Sept. 8 and 10. Friday's action will pit the University of Central Arkansas and the University of Evansville in a 5 p.m. match. Missouri State will take on the Air Force Academy at 7 p.m. On Sunday, Air Force and Evansville will play at 11:30 a.m., followed by the Bears and Central Arkansas at 1:30 p.m. All four matches will take place at Plaster Field.
