SPRINGFIELD – The Missouri State women's soccer team scored a season-high four goals on their way to defeating Southern Illinois, 4-1 in the season finale on Wednesday evening at Allison South Stadium. 
 
"I am very proud of our effort today," Missouri State head women's soccer coach Rob Brewer said. "We found multiple ways to score. There were scrappy goals, pretty finishes, headers and clinical scores. It was fun to watch. The team is working on finding the right approach and today, we saw a glimpse of what we can be this fall. Credit also goes out to the senior class who have been great role models and I am pleased they ended their careers with a win." 
 
The Bears got on the board in the 11th minute when Isabel Burke's header off a beautiful corner kick from Bryn McQuaid found the back of the net to give MSU the early 1-0 lead. The goal was Burke's second of the season and first of the spring. 
 
Less than two minutes later MSU increased its lead with Jacqueline Baetz's goal off an assist from Jade Loftness. The Salukis answered with their first goal of the season in the 18th minute when Kaitlin Ducharme snuck one past MSU keeper Kaitlin Maxwell to make it 2-1. Neither team scored for the remainder of the half and MSU headed into the break with a one-goal lead.  
 
Coming out of the break, the Bears lit up the scoreboard again as Emma Skornia made a tremendous defensive play, stealing a Saluki pass and then feeding Baetz, who tapped it past SIU goalkeeper Maddy Alaluf, to make it 3-1 MSU. 
 
Skornia capped the night off with a goal in the 68th minute scoring on an assist from Kyli Jackson off a corner-kick. 
 
The four goals were the most by an MSU team since they scored five in a win over SIU Edwardsville (5-1) on Sept. 10, 2017.  
 
MSU held the upper hand in every offensive category as the Bears led in shots (12-8), shots on goal (8-3) and corner kicks (5-1). Twenty-five fouls were issued during the contest, with the Salukis edging the Bears, 13-12. 
 
Kaitlin Maxwell finished the night with two saves while allowing one goal. Maddy Alaluf of Southern Illinois had four saves and allowed four goals. 
 
Missouri State concludes its 2020-2021 season with a 4-7-2 record. The Bears will be back in action in the fall of 2021 when they start their 26th season of play.