Joplin, Mo. – The Missouri Southern soccer team battled with Division I Missouri State all game but fell 2-0 in exhibition action at Hal Bodon Field this afternoon.
 
The Lions were in their first game of the season while the Bears were coming off a loss to Creighton earlier in the week. Missouri State got on the board in the ninth minute before adding a second in the 17^th minute, getting out to an early lead. Southern would go on to keep the Bears off the scoresheet for the first 30-minute period.
 
The second period saw Tayler Ohu and Mackenzie Scholtz have shots on goal, while Leah Paddie, Ohu, Scholtz and Alex Pascua got off shots while Riley Laver collected two saves in the period.
 
In the final period the Lions and Bears struggled to create scoring opportunities before the final whistle blew, Lilly Doneghue collected two saves during the period tying Laver for the team lead. Scholtz led the Lions with three shots (one on goal) while Paddie added two shots (one on goal), Ohu and Pascua got off the other shots for the Lions in the match.
 
The Lions will play a scrimmage against Southwest Baptist (August 27^th) and Drury (August 29^th) at home before beginning the regular season September 3^rd in Mankato, Minn. against Upper Iowa.