Joplin, Mo. -- The Missouri Southern soccer team scored three second-half goals as the Lions took out visiting Missouri Western, 4-1 today to open up MIAA play inside Fred G. Hughes Stadium. 

Southern (2-6, 1-0 MIAA) got goals from Bailey Belcher, Brianna Smith, Carina Calderon and Meredith Belrose. Belcher had four shots, all on goal, while Elena Eckwall added a shot on goal of her own. Belrose had three shots, while Sarah Tatum and Bailey Hunsicker had two shots each. Riley Laver had four saves in goal, playing all 90 minutes for the win. 

Western (3-4-1, 0-1 MIAA) got a pair of shots each from Taylor Schwartzkopf, Madison Utley and Kalli Campbell with Schwartzkopf picking up the lone goal for the Griffons. 

Western got on top just three minutes into the game, but the Lions answered back with a goal from Belrose off a pass from Edwards at the 15 minute mark to tie it up.

The game was tied at one at the break, but that's when the Lions went to work. 

Smith launched a shot from 35 yards out on the right wing just over the out-stretched hands of the Western keeper in the 64th minute. Five minutes later, Belcher added a goal off a corner from Calderon to put the score at 3-1, Lions. Calderon added a penalty kick with five minutes left on the clock for the final tally. 

The Lions out shot Western 16-9 with an 8-5 advantage in shots on goal. 

Southern will be back in action on October 4 when the Lions travel to Rogers State. Kickoff is at 6 pm.