Joplin, Mo. - The Missouri Southern soccer program battled a tough Fort Hays State team this afternoon at Hal Bodon Field to a 1-0 loss.

The Lions (3-9-2, 2-5-0 MIAA) and Fort Hays (5-6-3, 2-5-0 MIAA) played at a back-and-forth first half with both teams trading possession and creating chances while each defense rose to the occasion. At the end of the half the Tigers had more shots (4-3) while the teams were tied with one shot on goal each and the Lions had three corner kicks. 
 
In the second half, the Tigers got the lead in the 52nd minute on a Cailey Perkins long shot that was assisted by Emily Hutchings. The Lions responded with two Maya Greenquist shots in the 65th and 69th minutes that required a save by Fort Hays goalie Deonna Wellbrock. Missouri Southern would contintue to pressure the Tigers defense and Wellbrock and had a shot on goal in the 81st minute from Elisabeth Pujado from just outside the box and a Sofia Fatino shot in the 87thminute hit the outside portion of the where the crossbar and the goal post meet.
 
For the game, Erin Fisher led all players with three shots while Fatino, Pujado and Greenquist had two shots each. In goal Riley Laver played the full game finishing with two saves.
 
Fort Hays was led by goal scorer Perkins, Carly Walker and Jordan Thompson with two shots, Thompson's shots were both on goal to lead the Tigers. Wellbrock finished with four saves in her 90 minutes guarding the Tigers goal.
 
Up next for the Lions is a road trip to Kansas, first to play Emporia State on Friday October 22nd at 3:00 pm from the ESU Soccer Pitch followed by Washburn on Sunday October 24th at 1:00 pm from Yager Stadium.