TULSA, OK - The No. 13-ranked Missouri State men's soccer team left Hurricane Stadium with an impressive 1-1 draw against the Tulsa Golden Hurricane as senior defender Javier Martin Gil notched up the score seconds before halftime. 

Two significant delays – an 80-minute lightning delay in the first half followed by a stadium lighting outage in the second half – were not enough to prevent the Bears from going undefeated in their season-opening three-game road trip.

The Bears went into Tulsa looking to turn the page against the team that has been responsible for Missouri State's only regular-season losses in each of the last two seasons, but Tulsa will not hold that distinction this season.

"Tulsa is a very good team," head coach Michael Seabolt said. "They're going to win a lot of games."

Missouri State set the tone at the moment of the opening kickoff as junior forward James Jennings was inches away from scoring an opening-minute goal on Tulsa goalkeeper and reigning American Athletic Conference goalkeeper of the year, Alex Lopez. 

That shot was the most action on the pitch for a while as a lightning strike in the area caused a delay after just 15 minutes of play. The delay lasted 80 minutes before each team returned from the locker room.

"We prepared the guys before the game that there could be delays and that we'd try to get the game in," Seabolt said. "We just used that time to coach and prepare to get started again. We came back out and they were sharper and better."

Each team was wired and ready to get on the scoreboard as the match grew more aggressive as it went on. The hits came fast as junior defender Pedro Arcoverde was called for a foul inside the goal box, awarding Tulsa a penalty kick. Senior midfielder Sergio Baena put the Golden Hurricane on the board first with a strong penalty shot to the left side of the net.

The goal was the first allowed by Missouri State across three games so far this season, although the Bears have yet to allow a live goal on the field of play.

Tulsa was in control until seven minutes before the half when junior defender Daniel Shabani was fouled by junior defender Camilo Vargas, who appeared to step on Shabani after both were chasing the ball. Vargas was dealt a red card and exited the game, giving the Bears an advantage against a shorthanded opponent.

Missouri State seized the opportunity before Tulsa could use halftime to rethink a new strategy as senior forward Jesus Barea rocketed a shot that Lopez saved for the Golden Hurricane.

The Bears did not wait until the second half to cash in on the man advantage. Senior midfielder Kian Yari set the ball right up the goal where senior defender Javier Martin Gil sent it into the net to tie the match with 18 seconds left before halftime.

"The guys were just really brave on the ball and pushing to get a goal," Seabolt said. "They stayed on task and stayed focused. Kian subbed into the game and served a great ball and Javier made a great run and it was a fantastic goal."

The player advantage allowed the Bears to continue dominating possession as they had been each game to start the season. Missouri State outshot Tulsa 9-3 while keeping the Golden Hurricane without a shot attempt in the second half. The Bears have outshot all opponents this year 25-8, at least doubling the opponent's shots in all three games.

Missouri State had another strong showing in set pieces, attempting eight total corner kicks and six in the second half. All six corners in the second half spanned across just 20 minutes in what was MSU's strongest part of the game.

The Golden Hurricane looked to have weathered the storm just enough by the 80th minute when sophomore forward Gijs Hovius was dealt a red card before the Bears' final corner kick. Each team ended the game with just 10 players on the field.

To add another wrinkle into an already long night, the lights at Hurricane Stadium went dark as the clock hit 10:30 p.m. CT, exactly three and a half hours after the opening kick. The lighting delay lasted 17 minutes before the final 4:19 of the game could be played and finally put the long, hot night to rest.

Missouri State (2-0-1) and Tulsa (1-2-1) fought to a draw for only the second time since 2000, the other coming in 2018. The Bears will finally return to Springfield for their home opener against the VCU (0-2-2) on Saturday, September 9 at 7:00 p.m. CT at Betty & Bobby Allison South Stadium. Admission is free to all home games.