Mankato, Minn. – Despite outshooting, putting more shots on goal and earning more corner kicks, the Missouri Southern soccer program kicked off the 2021 season with a neutral site loss to Upper Iowa 1-0 at The Pitch in the Maverick Soccer Complex.
 
The Lions (0-1 ,0-0 MIAA) finished the game with more shots (12-10), shots on goal (5-3) and corner kicks (5-2) than the Peacocks (1-0, 0-0 NSIC). 
 
Midfielder Jori Hays had a team-high three shots and tied for the team lead in shots on goal (2) for the Lions with defender Aisley Stevens, while goalie Riley Laver finished with two saves 
 
In the first ten minutes of the first half the Lions created multiple attacking chances that ended up with three shots being attempted, highlighted by a Hays' shot on goal in the 7th minute. In the 21st minute Hays again forced the Upper Iowa goalie to make a save before the Peacocks' attackers had forced goalie Laver into a save.
 
The lone goal of the game came in the 29th minute for Upper Iowa when Katrina Kazluski hammered home a shot from inside the box that was assisted by Leah Willenbring. The Lions forced another save from the Peacocks' goalie in the 37th minute off a Lauren Mark shot before going into the half down 1-0.
 
In the second half the Lions forced a save out of the Upper Iowa goalie in the 68th minute and later at the 74th minute off two Stevens shots. The Lions fired off a couple more shots before the final whistle blew to wrap up the first game of the season. 
 
Up next for the Lions will be Minnesota State – Mankato tomorrow at 3 pm from the Maverick Soccer Complex at The Pitch.