Sept. 18, 2015

Final Stats

Box Score | Schedule

Live Stats: LMU

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. - The Missouri State men's soccer team (1-2-2) fell to No. 17 New Mexico (4-1-1) tonight 1-0 in the opening day of the N.M. Tournament in Albuquerque.

MSU fought a hard battle against N.M., facing a top-20 team for the first time this season. The Bears were able to keep the Lobos scoreless in the first half, using their tough defensive strategy they have used all season.

The closest scoring opportunity MSU saw came in the fifth minute of the match when freshman Conor Ingram positioned himself about 15 yards from the goal and shot left of the goalie, who was able to deflect the shot.

The Bears opened the second half with continued momentum from the first half. For a majority of the game, MSU maintained possession of the ball. In the 64^th minute of the game, the Lobos found an opening, and Niko Hansen of UNM was able to find the gap to end MSU's three-game shutout streak.

Goalkeeper Liam Priestley's shutout streak in the net ended with 410 minutes without an opponent scoring. Priestley saw more action than he has seen all season Friday night. The Lobos out-shot the Bears 10-6, with five of those shots on the goal. Until tonight, the most saves Priestley was forced to make in a game was two, while only 10 shots had been taken by an opponent. The 10 shots came from USF, to whom MSU fell in the season opener 2-0.

Head coach Jon Leamy is optimistic for the final day of the N.M. Tournament, as MSU will conclude tournament play on Sunday (Sept. 20) at 1 p.m. against No. 18 Loyola Marymount.

"We are getting better as a team," said Leamy. "There are three nationally ranked teams at this tournament. New Mexico made us work and Loyola Marymount will do the same. It was a great environment tonight and the guys will be ready on Sunday."

The Bears return home and begin conference play on Saturday, Sept. 26 at 7:30 p.m. when they face MVC preseason favorite SIU Edwardsville.