Box Score (PDF)
 
SPRINGFIELD – The Missouri State women's soccer team (0-0-1) began its 2022 campaign at home Thursday night, drawing Central Arkansas, 0-0. 
 
Despite outshooting UCA 15-4, MSU couldn't find the back of the net. The night proved to be a coming-out party for freshman forward Joey Fosnow, registering four shots, including three on goal. Right behind Fosnow was freshman forward Riley Smith and sophomore forward Grace O'Keefe, who both accounted for three shots apiece.  
 
Bears goalkeeper Camielle Day played all 90 minutes and rode the shoulders of Missouri State's defense to her first shutout of the season as MSU held the visitors without a single shot on goal.
 
"I thought we did enough to win the game," MSU head coach Kirk Nelson said. "I thought we were good on all four phases of the game. I thought everyone contributed that went on the field, and our bench was positive."
 
While key returners such as O'Keefe and Kaeli Benedict shined, the Bears' new additions proved to be immediately valuable. Six freshmen saw action in the season opener, including four that remained on the pitch for more than 45 minutes.
 
With the mixture of new and old faces, Nelson feels good about the Bears going forward.
 
"It's just a matter of getting that first goal for us, and then it'll open things up," Nelson said. "I'm positive with it. It's a great start and a good foundation. The things that we've been working on in training we've been able to apply here, and we saw that."
 
The Bears are back in action Sunday at 2 p.m. when they travel to Stillwater for a matchup against Oklahoma State.