Box Score | Season Stats
 
Edwardsville, Ill. – Despite falling behind early in the first half, the Missouri State women's soccer team (3-5-0) put together a dominating, come-from-behind effort to defeat the SIUE Cougars, 5-1, Sunday afternoon at Korte Stadium.
 
Four Bears found a way to put the ball into the net as Missouri State scored its most goals in a single match since its 5-0 victory over Little Rock in 2012. Senior Mary Disidore led the Bear offense with two goals and two assists while freshman Jordan Eickelman, sophomore Ashley Coonfield and fellow senior Rachel Catrell each recorded a goal.
 
Both teams came out of the gate hot, recording shots within the first minute of play. Sophomore Kayleigh Putnam was the first to fire, shooting the ball into the hands of the SIUE keeper 35 seconds into the match. Less than 30 seconds later, SIUE found the same result as freshman goalkeeper Kaitlin Maxwell raked in her first of two saves on the day.
 
Momentum swung the Cougars' way in the 28^th minute as SIUE's MacKenzie Litzsinger received a cross pass and successfully headed the ball into the net to give the Cougars a 1-0 lead. SIUE would maintain its lead for 13 minutes until the Missouri State offense came charging back.
 
In the 41^st minute of the match, freshman forward Emma Skornia laced a cross pass to Disidore, who headed the ball into the back left corner of the goal on a diving attempt – equalizing the match, 1-1. The Bears struck again less than a minute later when Coonfield received a pass from Disidore and scored the game-winning goal off a long shot from the top of the box to give the Bears a 2-1 advantage heading into the second half.
 
Missouri State earned its first penalty kick attempt of the season in the 47^th minute after SIUE's Katie Jordan was issued a yellow card inside the box. As a result, Disidore took the lead on the scoring opportunity, finding the right side of the net for her second goal of the match.
 
Following another SIUE foul just outside the top of the box, the Bears lined up for free kick opportunity in the 62^nd minute where Disidore would begin the play. She sliced the ball through the defending line to freshman Jacqueline Baetz who then dished the ball into Catrell. Squaring off against the SIUE goalkeeper, Catrell tapped in the Bears' fourth goal of a game, giving MSU a comfortable 4-1 lead over the Cougars.
 
Eickelman put the final nail in the coffin for the Bears, netting the first goal of her collegiate career late in the 70^th minute. Sophomore Kassie Flynn picked up the assist on the play as Eickelman fired off the Bears' final goal of the match from 15-yards out.
 
Despite one SIUE goal, the Missouri State defense stood firm, allowing just two shots in the second half. With 15 minutes remaining in the match, freshman goalkeeper Lexi Palacio made her way onto the pitch for her collegiate debut in the MSU goal. The newcomer found herself in a one-on-one situation in the 83^rd minute and brought in the first save of her career to keep the Cougars from tightening the score. Maxwell was credited with the win as the Bears improve to 3-5-0 overall on the season.
 
Scoring Summary

• 28:08 – SIUE, MacKenzie Litzsinger – headed into the goal, assisted by Mallory Mushill
• 41:18 – MSU, Mary Disidore – crossed into the box and headed into the goal, assisted by Emma Skornia
• 42:16 – MSU, Ashley Coonfield – long shot from the top right corner of the box, assisted by Mary Disidore
• 47:04 – MSU, Mary Disidore – penalty kick
• 62:08 – MSU, Rachel Catrell – goal off set play, assisted by Mary Disidore and Jacqueline Baetz
• 70:39 – MSU, Jordan Eickelman – shot from 15-yards out, assisted by Kassie Flynn

 
Coming Up Next
Missouri State returns home to Betty & Bobby Allison South Stadium to play host to the Oral Roberts Golden Eagles, Tuesday at 7 p.m. For all the latest information on the Missouri State women's soccer team, visit missouristatebears.com or follow @MSUBearsWSoccer on Twitter.