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SPRINGFIELD – The Missouri State women's soccer team kicked off Missouri Valley Conference action with a resounding 2-1 win against Valparaiso Saturday afternoon, scoring two unanswered goals in the second half to complete the comeback bid at Betty & Bobby Allison South Stadium.

Valparaiso capitalized on the latter of its two shot attempts in the first as Noel Tahelah slipped one past the Bears' goal line in the 24^th minute to take an early 1-0 advantage. MSU's four first-period shots all came in the opening 21 minutes, as the Bears struggled to maintain possession throughout the remainder of the opening half.

Jordan Eickelman created a much-needed offensive spark for the Bears in the second, outrunning two Crusader defenders and sinking a shot in the corner of the net in the 68^th minute to even it 1-1.

A corner kick from Ashley Coonfield in the final 10 minutes set up the decisive go-ahead header from Brittney Robinson at the 84^th minute, giving MSU the 2-1 lead and completing the Bears' comeback.

MSU outshot the Crusaders 10-3, with six of those occurring in the second. Coonfield, Eickelman, and Mayleigh Oder combined for six of the Bears' 10 scoring opportunities.

Up next, the Bears continue their home stretch against Drake on Saturday, Oct. 5 at 1 p.m.