SPRINGFIELD – The Bears and Purple Aces were tied with 10 minutes remaining, but a late goal from Brooke Prondzinski broke the deadlock and gave the Missouri State women's soccer team (7-3-1, 3-2-1 MVC) a 2-1 victory at Evansville, Saturday afternoon.
 
Missouri State was the first team to get a shot off as sophomore Ashley Coonfield let one loose just after the six-minute mark. Her shot was blocked, but the Bears came back with two more shots a little under 10 minutes later.
 
The Missouri State defense held off Evansville's scoring attempts until the 16^th minute, but the shot, registered from the Purple Ace's Montana Portenier, sailed wide of the goal. The Bears allowed just three UE shots in the first half, while registering six shots of their own. Unable to put the ball into the net in the opening 45 minutes, both teams entered the halfway mark tied, 0-0.
 
In the 50^th minute, MSU Jacqueline Baetz took out a corner kick for the Bears and launched the ball past the goal. However, Brittney Robinson was there to make sure the ball stayed in bounds and headed the ball back towards the middle of the box. Notching her third goal of the season, sophomore Kayleigh Putnam stepped up and found the back of the net to give the Bears a 1-0 lead.
 
Evansville answered in the 63^rd minute as Portenier received a through ball, dribbled past starting goalkeeper Lexi Palacio and found the back left corner of the goal to even up the match, 1-1.
 
Nearing the final 10 minutes of the match, senior Rachel Catrell pushed the ball up the field. Launching a pass, the ball tipped off of Prondzinski's defender and rolled forward towards the Evansville goal. Prondzinski took control of the ball and scorched the game-winner past the Evansville keeper from 10-yards out to secure the 2-1 victory over the Purple Aces.
 
The Bears finished the match with 10 shots – four of which were on goal – and four corner kicks. Palacio brought in two saves and improves to 2-3-1 on the season.
 
Scoring Summary

• MSU – 50:54, Kayleigh Putnam – headed across goal by Robinson, scored into goal – assisted by Brittney Robinson.
• UE – 63:08, Montana Portenier – through ball, dribbled past keeper and scored.
• MSU – 79:59, Brooke Prondzinski – Scored from 10-yards out following misplay.

 
Coming Up Next
The Bears return home to Betty & Bobby Allison South Stadium on Thursday, Oct. 26, where they will honor the team's five seniors in Missouri State's "Senior Day" contest against Illinois State. For all the latest information on the Missouri State women's soccer team, visit missouristatebears.com or follow @MSUBearsWSoccer on Twitter.