Joplin, Mo. – The Missouri Southern soccer program got an early lead before making a comeback in the second half and pushing the #13 Griffons of Missouri Western to the brink in a 2-2 tie at Hal Bodon Field this evening.
 
Southern (1-2-2, 0-0-0 MIAA) got the lead in the 18^th minute when a Jori Hays shot from well outside the box knuckled in the air over the Griffons' (3-0-2, 0-0-0 MIAA) goalkeeper hands and into the top portion of the goal to give the Lions a deserved 1-0 lead after pressuring and launching numerous attacks at Missouri Western. Mackenzie Scholtz picked up an assist on Hays goal her second of the season and has picked up an assist in back-to-back games.
 
Western responded in the first half twice to go into the half up 2-1 after scoring in the 33^rd and 38^th minute. The Lions made the most of their opportunities in the first half with six shots and four shots on goal in the opening 45 minutes as the Griffons fired off 11 shots and had seven shots on goal.
 
The second half heated up for both teams as the sun went down in Joplin. Following a Griffons foul just outside the box Maya Greenquist fired home a free kick into the bottom left corner that tied it up 2-2 in the 52^nd minute. Once again, the Griffons responded with a flurry of shots with Laney Graham collecting two saves in the ten minutes that followed the goal.
 
A hard-fought ending to regulation ensued with both teams having nine fouls committed and the Griffons coming away with two yellows being shown. The Lions were the more proficient in front of goal not wasting chances to score coming away with seven shots and five that were on goal compared to Missouri Western's tally of ten shots and six being on goal in the second half. The Griffons had the last chance in regulation on a shot from well outside the box almost dipping into the goal if not for Graham getting two hands on the dipping shot to preserve the tie.
 
In the first period of overtime both teams showed signs of tiring after playing a hard 90 minutes that was physical and mentally demanding. both teams got up and down the field in a hurry and created scoring opportunities with almost each possession. The Griffons fired off four shots that all missed the target while the Lions had two opportunities in the period. A penalty was called in the 92^nd minute that had the Lions on the cusp of pulling the upset. The ensuing penalty kick was saved by a fully stretched Griffon keeper to continue play. In the 95^th minute Tayler Ohu had a shot just inside the box that required a save as well. 
 
The final overtime period belonged to the Lions who got off four shots to Missouri Western's zero in the ten-minute frame. Scholtz fired off a shot in the 101^st minute that was saved and Hays had another long-range effort in the 106^th minute that forced a save. As time was winding down the Lions quickly launched an attack that resulted in a shot being fired off with less than two second remaining that ended up not finding the target.
 
Totals from the game gave the edge to Missouri Western in shots (25-19) while the Lions tied the Griffons in shots on goal (13-13) and had more corner kicks (10-5) than their adversaries. Greenquist and Hays both had four shots to tie for the team-high while Hays had four shots on goal. Scholtz finished with three shots and two that were on goal while Ella Durocher and Ohu had two shots each. 
 
In goal Riley Laver started and played the first half finishing with five saves, her replacement Laney Graham came away with six saves in 65 minutes. 
 
For the Griffons Jaden Skinner had a game-high six shots that included a goal and had three shots on goal, and Tina Palmieri had five shots with four that were on goal. Defender Elizaneth Musilek grabbed an assist and Lauren Street had a goal to go with both her shots being on goal from the bench. Anna Mayer played all 110 minutes in goal and came away with 11 saves in the game.
 
Up next for the Lions will be #18 Central Missouri coming to Joplin, Sunday. The last time these two played in Joplin the Lions came away victors 3-2 in overtime over the then ranked #8 Jennies. Kickoff from Hal Bodon Field is set for 2:00 pm.