SPRINGFIELD – The Missouri State women's soccer team (5-7-3) fired a season-high 19 shots in the Bears' 2-0 victory over Kansas State (4-8-3) at Betty and Bobby Allison South Stadium on Monday (Oct. 17).
"We've been building momentum and playing better," commented head coach
Rob Brewer. "Kansas State had some great talent but I feel like we handled it well. I think we have been finishing our chances over the last couple of games and that has helped us build confidence as a team."
Kansas State registered its first two shots of the match in the first eight minutes of the match, while Missouri State tallied seven over the next 15 minutes. Reigning MVC Goalkeeper of the Week,
Evan Stamp, collected her three saves of the night in the first half to prolong Kansas State's scoring drought on the road, for the Wildcats have been unable to score in the last 360 minutes of play.
In the closing minutes of the first half, sophomore
Karen Kozol headed in her first collegiate goal, giving the Bears the 1-0 advantage going into the locker room. The Bears held the 10-6 shot advantage in the opening half, while holding the 19-10 edge overall.
In the 55
th minute of the match, Missouri State struck again after Kansas State dropped a short goal kick into the feet of MSU's
Ashley Coonfield. The freshman dribbled up to the top of the box and blasted a shot past the Wildcat keeper, registering her team-leading fourth goal of the season.
Kansas State took its final shot of the evening in the 87
th minute of action, hitting the near-side post and sending the ball out-of-bounds. In their inaugural season, the Wildcats are 0-3 against MVC teams and will close their regular season against Illinois State on Thursday (Oct. 20).
Missouri State will travel to Drake on Saturday (Oct. 22) before wrapping up the 2016 regular-season at Allison South Stadium on Thursday (Oct. 27) against the Evansville Purple Aces.
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