Box Score (PDF)
EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. – Behind Nicolo Mulatero's third, two-goal match of the season, the Missouri State men's soccer team (10-1-4, 6-0-2) coasted to a 2-0 shutout of SIUE (5-8-2, 2-6-0) in the team's final regular-season outing.
The victory also marked the second consecutive unbeaten conference season for the Bears, their third in four years, and the team's four-straight regular season title.
"Everyone at Missouri State couldn't be prouder of these Bears; undefeated, Missouri Valley Conference champions," said head coach Michael Seabolt. "It's so well-deserved.
Coming into the night, MSU had scored 20 of its 32 goals in the second half of its contests, but in the opening minutes of the Bears second matchup with the Cougars, it was clear that would not be the case.
Six minutes into the match, the Missouri Valey Conference regular season championships made their move. Off assists from James Jennings and Kian Yari, Mulatero fired off a bullet from his left foot past the SIUE keeper to give the Bears the early, 1-0, advantage.
The Bears continued on the attack in the remaining minutes of the first period, giving the SIUE back line all it could handle. In the 25th minute, Mulatero struck again, extending the Bears' lead to 2-0 off his eighth goal of the season.
Out of the half, it was the MSU defense's time to shine, as the Bears held their 2-0 advantage while staving off the efforts of the Cougars. MSU limited SIUE's opportunities to a single shot in the final 45 minutes, while outshooting the Cougars 15-5 throughout the night.
The shutout was Harry Townsend's 10th clean sheet of the season, one shy of matching the club's single-season record of 11, most recently achieved in 2017.
After clinching sole possession of the MVC Regular-Season Title over the weekend, the Bears return home next weekend to host the semifinals and finals of the tournament as the top seed on Nov. 10 and Nov. 13.
MSU will get a first-round bye to the semifinals before facing off against the lowest remaining seed on Thursday, Nov. 10, at 6 p.m.
"It was a great team effort tonight and we're excited to get home and host the MVC tournament in front of our fans, supporters and our university and represent Missouri State at the highest level a week from Thursday," finished Seabolt.
#BearsUnite
