SPRINGFIELD - Behind a vaunted defensive effort that has only improved as the season's progressed, Missouri State women's soccer picked up its ninth shutout of the season here, downing Missouri Valley Conference foe Indiana State Thursday night, 1-0.
Â
With the clean-sheet, the Bears (9-5-2) have now only given up goals in two out of their last nine contests, a span that includes eight conference matchups.
Â
"A big part of our defense is our communication," senior defender
Kyli Jackson said. "We not only communicate, but we are willing to listen to each other."
Â
Jackson has been an anchor for the Bears' defensive efforts, playing the full 90 minutes in the last seven consecutive games.
Â
The victory improves MSU to 6-1-1 in conference play and keeps the Bears in sole possession of first place. Both the second and third place teams in The Valley, Valparaiso and Southern Illinois, suffered losses at the hands of MoState earlier in the season.
Â
After the first 10 minutes of the game were quiet, MSU found itself with the first real opportunity of the game. A 12
th minute shot by
Joey Fosnow deflected off the crossbar, and within the minute,
Abby Couch retained possession and fed it over to
Hailey Chambliss. Chambliss found the back of the net, and the Bears found themselves with an early 1-0 advantage over the Sycamores. The goal was Chambliss' fourth of the season, co-leading all Bears alongside
Grace O'Keefe.
Â
"The first half was massive for us," head coach
Kirk Nelson said. "I thought we came out like we wanted to: quick and sharp. I felt like last Thursday here at home, we didn't, and we paid for it."
Â
For the rest of the half, the Bears continued to find themselves in scoring opportunities, outshooting Indiana State, 9-1, in the first 45 minutes. However, no more of these chances would lead to goals, and the teams headed to the locker room only separated by one score.
Â
In the second half, Indiana State came out inspired, with a majority of the second half being played on MoState's side of the field. While the Sycamores had their chances, the Bears kept them limited, and the defense took center stage again for MSU. Goalkeeper
Camielle Day had four out of her five saves in the last 45 minutes as the Bears closed out Indiana State. The shutout marks Day's seventh of the season.
Â
Missouri State stays in Springfield for their regular season home finale, taking on fourth-place UIC (3-5-5) Sunday at 1 p.m. at Betty and Bobby Allison South Stadium. The game will serve as Senior Night for the Bears, and admission is free.
Â
#BearsUnite
Â
Â