NASHVILLE – The Missouri State women's soccer team defeated Belmont, 2-0, on the road to stay in first place in the conference standings on Sunday.
 
The Bears (6-4-3, 4-0-1 MVC) lead the Missouri Valley Conference standings with 13 points. Belmont (6-7-1, 3-2 MVC) is now tied with Southern Illinois in second place with nine points.
 
MSU goalkeeper Camielle Day reached a milestone with her 25^th career shutout. Day faced a pair of shots on-goal and saved both to keep the clean sheet. She is second in total shutouts in program history behind Jackie Jasper (2005-08) with 27.
 
Grace O'Keefe scored the game-winner for the Bears. The forward put the Bears on the board just seven minutes into the match with a shot rocketed into the top half of the goal and past the hands of Belmont's Sydney Jones. O'Keefe was assisted by Julia Kristensen who is now second in the MVC in total assists this season.
 
Kaeli Benedict scored the insurance goal quickly in the second half. In the 50^th minute, Benedict got her second goal of the season with an assist from Kristensen into the top of the goal and past Jones' hands.
 
Missouri State outshot the Bruins 12-7 with eight shots on-goal.
 
"This was an extremely tough game for many reasons," head coach Kirk Nelson said. "However, we were able to battle through, play our game, and we got an extremely valuable three points on the road with a team clean sheet. Looking forward to our next two games being at home."
 
The Bears will be back at home on Thursday to face Murray State at 4:00 p.m. Admission is free at Betty and Bobby Allison South Stadium for all regular-season soccer games.