SPRINGFIELD – The Evansville Purple Aces (9-7-2, 4-2-1 MVC) handed the Missouri State men's soccer team (8-6-2, 3-3-1 MVC) just its second loss at Betty and Bobby Allison South Stadium on Saturday (Oct. 29), after the Purple Aces netted a goal in the 86^th minute of action to take the match, 2-1.
 
MSU's Emmerich Hoegg started the offensive push for the Bears in the first minute of the match, firing his first of five shots of the night, just wide right of the goal. Eight minutes later, Jake Buckle took a corner kick for the Bears, sending the ball into the middle of the box. After several different touches, the ball fell at the feet of Hoegg, who put away his 17^th career goal, and fourth of the season, to give the Bears the 1-0 lead.
 
In the 30^th minute of the match, Evansville's Zac Blaydes fired a shot from 20 yards out at MSU goalkeeper, Liam Priestley, who was able to deflect the ball away. Ten seconds later, Blaydes struck again, squeaking the ball into the upper right hand corner of the net to knot the match at one-all.
 
The Purple Aces were called for a foul in the 36^th minute to set up a free kick for the Bears on the near side of the field. Phil Woods sent the free kick into the box, as Robbie Oslica jumped up and headed it into the hands of Evansville's goalkeeper, Frederik Reimer.
 
MSU freshman, Mitch Langton, had the first look for either team in the second half, hitting the cross bar in the 54^th minute. Woods lunged in for the put back, but headed it less than five feet wide of the goal and out-of-bounds.
 
In the closing minutes of regulation, Evansville's Ian McGrath netted his ninth goal of the season after Blaydes found the Purple Ace on the run. McGrath punched the ball past Priestley on the near side of the pitch to give Evansville the 2-1 lead.
 
The last opportunity for the Bears came in the 87^th minute of the match, as Jake Buckle set up the final play and took a corner kick for MSU. The Purple Aces' defense was too strong and cleared the ball down the field to end MSU's win streak at Allison South Stadium. Tonight's loss to Evansville was just the second loss MSU has suffered at the home facility since it opened in 2014.
 
Going into the final week of the regular season, Missouri State is tied for fourth in the MVC standings with Central Arkansas with 10 league points behind Loyola (16), SIU Edwardsville (14) and Evansville (13).
 
MSU will travel to Central Arkansas for a battle between Bears in the regular season finale on Saturday (Nov. 5). At best, the Bears could be a three seed in the upcoming tournament, with a win over Central Arkansas and an Evansville loss to SIUE.