Aug. 28, 2015 Box Score
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- Senior Alix Opfer found the back of the net twice as the Missouri State women's soccer team (2-1-0) won the home opener against UMKC (2-1-0) at Betty and Bobby Allison South Stadium on Friday night by a 2-1 final. MSU improves to 13-6-1 all-time in home openers and 6-1-0 all-time against the Kangaroos with all seven matches against the Kangaroos decided by one goal.
"They caused us some problems with their tight marking," said head coach Rob Brewer. "But we capitalized when we had our chances. Alix (Opfer) has always been a battler. She is now a smarter player and when she goes into the box she knows she is going to get to the ball if at all possible."
In the 30th minute of action, freshman Masen Stamp sent a ball into the box. A brief scramble saw fellow freshman Brooke Prondzinski nudge the ball into an open space where Opfer finished it for a 1-0 Bears' lead.
UMKC countered in the first minute of the second half. The Kangaroos' first shot ricocheted off of the cross bar, but fell to the foot of an unmarked UMKC player for the tying goal.
Opfer got back on the score sheet in the 64th minute. Sophomore Mary Disidore played a ball from midfield to Masen Stamp near the end line to the right of the net. Stamp's cross found Opfer right in front of an open net for the go-ahead and eventual game-winner.
Senior goalkeeper Jessica Perry made five saves to earn her second win of the season.
Prondzinski led all players with eight shots taken in the match. Opfer added three as MSU edged UMKC in shots 15-14.
The Bears continue the home stand next Friday (Sept. 4) when the Tulsa Golden Hurricane come to Springfield. MSU host Oral Roberts on Sept. 9 to conclude the longest home stand of the year.
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