Oct. 4, 2014 Final Stats
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SPRINGFIELD - The Bears know the importance of conference play. On Saturday night, the Missouri State men's soccer team (5-3-2, 2-0-0) defeated Drake University (2-6-2, 0-1-0) in the first Missouri Valley Conference game played at the new Betty & Bobby Allison South Stadium, 2-0.
The Bears were all over the stat line in a very physical first half. MSU outshot Drake 11-2 in the first 45 minutes, keeping the pressure on the visiting Bulldogs. Drake's goalkeeper, Darrin MacLeod, seemed ripe for the challenge, making six first half saves.
"We know the opposition pretty well. We had a game plan and executed it," said senior Jack Roberts. "Sometimes in conference you expect a little higher intensity. Drake is a strong team and that's how they played."
After a scoreless opening period, it did not take long for the Bears to strike. In the 49th minute, Missouri State earned a deep throw. Using the power of Brandon Besong's long throw, the Bears played the ball into the box. Using his body, Roberts was able to shield it just enough to keep the ball away from the Bulldog defender and play it to the top of the box for the ready Emmerich Hoegg. Without hesitation, Hoegg launched a left-footed laser into the bottom right of the net. MacLeod did not have a chance to react before the MSU players were celebrating the advantage.
With the 1-0 lead, the Bears turned defensive. The combination of tough defending and wise counters from the back line proved to be successful throughout the remainder of the match. The Bulldogs did apply continuous pressure, however, with six second half shots and five second half corner kicks, but the backline and goalkeeper Addison Watson made the plays necessary to preserve the shutout. Watson finished with two saves on the night.
With time running low, Missouri State used two key plays to seal the victory. The first was Brandon Barbero taking the ball to the offensive corner flag and putting on a dribbling display to maintain possession and chew clock. In the 89th minute, the Bears started a counter attack, led by James Thomas. Receiving the ball just shy of midfield, Thomas was able to suck in the defender and play a through ball to the running Roberts. With space and the keeper in front of him, Roberts dribbled the ball with pace to the left end of the 6-yard box and finished the insurance goal to give MSU the 2-0 lead.
"This was really big for us," said head coach Jon Leamy. "It was Drake's first (MVC game), so there was a little bit of an imbalance. They are a good, solid team across the board. (I have) a lot of respect for how they play. Breaking through with the first goal was just huge when Ricky came in and cracked that left-footer. It was so good to see Jack Roberts come through and get his first. A good coming out for Jack and a great six points for us."
The Bears return to action on Tuesday with a home non-conference matchup against Oral Roberts. The Bears fell to ORU earlier in the season in Tulsa, Okla. Following the 7 p.m. match, Missouri State plays twice on the road before returning to Springfield on Oct. 25, against MVC opponent Bradley.
