Nov. 7, 2014 Box Score
NORMAL, Ill. - The Missouri State women's soccer team (7-10-2) saw its season come to a close at the hands of host Illinois State (14-5-0) in the semifinals of the MVC Women's Soccer Championship by a 6-2 score in Normal, Ill., on Friday night.
In the ninth minute of action, the Redbirds struck first on a Hannah Leinert goal from inside the box.
MSU got a chance to tie the match in the 13th minute when ISU was called for a hand ball in the box. Molly Huber stepped to the ball, but her low strike was saved by ISU's Aryn Newsom.
Missouri State's goalkeeper Jessica Perry made a fabulous save in the 22nd minute, tipping a shot over the net the beginning a flurry of ISU pressure. The resulting corner kick saw the Redbirds hit the crossbar and the resulting deflection saved at close range by Perry.
The Redbirds found the back of the net again in the 33rd minute. Rachel Tejada took a shot from about 20 yards out that deflected off a defender and into the side of the net.
The Bears cut into the lead just minutes later. Offensive pressure saw a loose ball just outside the 18 yard box at the foot of Brooke Zimmerman. She found Molly Brewer on the left side and Brewer lifted the ball into the box. Alix Opfer headed the ball past the ISU keeper to close the deficit to 2-1. The assist for Brewer was the 14th of her career, tying her for second in school history, and 40th career point, moving her into fourth in program history.
Tejada took over in the second half. She scored in the 49th and 50th minutes for the hat trick and to put ISU up 4-1. But Tejada was called for a foul in the box on an MSU corner in the 59th minute.
Lauren Fussell converted the resulting penalty kick to cut the deficit to 4-2. It was Fussell's third goal of the season.
Ashley Tallerine made a fantastic save with a bicycle kick off the end line midway through the second half, but the Redbirds scored again in the 69th and 79th minutes to put the match out of reach.
Brewer led the way with four of the Bears' 13 shots. Huber and Opfer each had three shots.
Kelsey Fouch and Alix Opfer were named to the MVC All-Tournament team for their performances in the two matches MSU played.
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