Oct. 28, 2015

Final Stats

Box Score | Season Stats | Schedule

OMAHA, Neb. - The Missouri State men's soccer team (5-5-4) played to a 2-2 double-overtime draw today against Nebraska Omaha (8-4-3) here. The Bears have gone to at least one overtime six times this season.

James Thomas had the first scoring opportunity of the match for MSU after his shot hit the right post and bounced out of bounds in the 13^th minute. The Mavericks were able to score through three MSU defenders in the 42^nd minute of the match to put UNO ahead at halftime. The Bears out-shot the Mavericks 6-3 in the first half but were unable to answer.

The Bears came out of the locker room with momentum, pushing at UNO's defense. In the 53^rd minute of the match, Thomas put the Bears on the board. Six minutes later, freshman Harry Lewis saw a shot opportunity but was blocked by a UNO defender. The ball came down and connected with Thomas, as he was able to head in his second goal of the match.

In the 75^th minute of the match, UNO was inside the penalty box as MSU was called for a hand ball, giving the Mavericks a penalty kick. UNO's Emir Alihodzic took the penalty shot and was able to get past MSU's goalkeeper Liam Priestley.

In the first overtime, UNO charged the goal but the Bears' defense prevented two big scoring opportunities. MSU's Nick Burtenshaw was in a one-on-one opportunity inside the box blocking a potential game-winner in the 96^th minute of the match. With seconds left in the first overtime, UNO's Kevin Correa had an open shot opportunity but Priestley came up with the save punching the ball over the top of the net sending the match into double-overtime.

In the second overtime, it was a battle of the strength of the goalkeepers. Priestley made a save in the 104^th minute of the match as UNO's Fazlo Alihodzic found an open shot opportunity. With the clock winding down, it was UNO's goalkeeper Josh Christensen's turn to save the match as MSU's Tyler Swanner was at the mouth of the goal. Swanner took the shot and Christensen was able to deflect the ball up over the cross bar.

MSU will complete their non-conference schedule on the road at Oral Roberts on Monday (Nov. 2) at 6:00 p.m. before returning to Springfield for the final contest of the regular season against Valley opponent Central Arkansas at 7 p.m. The three seniors on the squad - Brandon Barbero, Jon Boyack, and James Thomas - will be recognized prior to the match.