SPRINGFIELD - Missouri State men's soccer (2-2) took control in the first half of Friday night's contest against Tulsa (1-3) early on to take a 1-0 win to end its three-game homestand. It was the Bears' first win over the Golden Hurricane since 2019.

"We talked all preseason and season about being Bears and playing tough, but also playing really, really well," head coach Michael Seabolt said. "We did both tonight and it's all about the boys."

The sequence began with sophomore defender Mattia Pettrica finding senior forward James Jennings at midfield. Jennings quickly got the ball to a running freshman midfielder Dion Ruffo Luci, who found senior forward Jesus Barea in position to launch a ball through the right side of the net before Golden Hurricane defenders could engulf him.

Barea continued to put his name in the history books. The Spaniard scored his sixth goal of the season in the 30th minute from outside the box, striking the ball past American Athletic Conference Preseason Goalkeeper of the Year Alex Lopez. Barea once again led the Bears with three shots.

Barea has already matched his career-high of six goals in a season that he set last year. He has scored in five consecutive games going back to last year.

"It's through all the work we put in, not just me, in the summer," Barea said. "Just coming here in early June and just training by ourselves. I am so happy for myself, but more for the team for helping me get those goals. I'm going to keep going and nobody is going to stop me."

Barea became the seventh player in Missouri State history to reach 25 career goals. He also became the second player in team history to take 200 career shots on the same play.

"I'm aiming for the moon," Barea said.

The Bears prevented the Golden Hurricane from getting many good looks at the net. Tulsa's first shot attempt came 22 minutes in, and the visiting team failed to register a shot on goal.

Missouri State outshot Tulsa, 8-7, including four shots each in the second half. Four of Tulsa's seven shots came from sophomore midfielder Will Applegate. Springfield native Alex Cunningham played all 90 minutes and also recorded a shot for Tulsa in the 71st minute.

"We realize that every team we play is going to be very dangerous," senior defender Michael Peck said. "I think sometimes we have taken that for granted in the past. Today we just dug in, stayed really solid and did our jobs. We know we need to be a little bit better keeping the ball, but that will come as we work on it."

The suffocating Bears defense weathered seven Tulsa corner kicks, none of which posed a threat at the net. 

The teams battled to the very end with Applegate taking one last desperation shot that was knocked away in the final seconds to seal it. Senior goalkeeper Harry Townsend recorded his 25th career clean sheet, tying him with Liam Priestley (2014-17) for third all-time in Missouri State history.

Missouri State won two of its three matches during this homestand. The Bears will hit the road for just the second time this season when they head south to play Central Arkansas (3-1) on Tuesday, Sept. 10 at Bill Stephens Track/Soccer Complex in Conway, Arkansas. Kickoff is set for 7:00 p.m.