Mankato, Minn. – The Missouri Southern soccer program finished its opening weekend with a heartbreaking overtime loss to host Minnesota State – Mankato 1-0 in overtime at the Mavericks Soccer Complex today.
 
The Lions (0-2, 0-0 MIAA) were led by Ella Durocher with a season-high five shots (two on goal). Maya Greenquist led the team with all three of her shots being on goal and Jori Hays added two shots (one on goal) as well. In goal Riley Laver notched nine saves in 92 minutes of action.
 
The Mavericks (1-0, 0-0 NSIC) got the winning goal from Allie Williams who led the team with each of her two shots being on goal while Libby Spangler and Claire Cater each registered three shots (one on goal) a piece. Clare Longueville finished with six saves in her 92 minutes in goal for Minnesota State.
 
In the first half both teams struggled to gain much of a footing as the first shot came in the 14th minute, a Durocher shot that was blocked. The Mavericks responded with three shots including two that required a Laver save in the next five minutes. Durocher came close to scoring in the 23rd minute hitting the left post. Southern goalie Laver would make two more saves in the half to ensure the score stayed at 0-0 headed into halftime.
 
The second half saw more action required out of the Minnesota State goalie and defense as the Lions had six shots on goal and one shot get blocked. In the 65th minute, Hays forced the first save of the half as Greenquist followed up in the 73rd minute with two shots that required saves. In the last 15 minutes of regulation, Southern turned up the heat getting shots in the 75th, 81st, 83rd and 84th minutes and pushed more numbers up into attacking areas. 
 
Minnesota State got the last chance of regulation, getting a shot off with under 20 seconds remaining that sailed over the crossbar to require overtime with the score tied 0-0. In the overtime period both teams struggled to maintain possession in the early going before a Southern clearance was claimed by the Mavericks near midfield. Minnesota State worked the ball into the box before sending in a cross that found its way to Wiliams who found a pocket of space and scored to claim the Mavericks' first win of the season.
 
Up next for the Lions will be the home opener on September 9 as William Jewell will travel down to Joplin. Kickoff from Hal Bodon Field is scheduled for 7:00 pm.