Joplin, Mo. – The Missouri Southern soccer program played through the heat this afternoon to open MIAA play against Missouri Western, falling 1-0 to the Griffons at Hal Bodon Field.
 
The Lions (0-7, 0-1 MIAA) were led by Jori Hays and Mackenzie Scholtz with both having two shots and one shot on goal, Aisley Stevens and Mia Barkyoumb also had shots on goal tonight. Lilly Doneghue had four saves in goal tonight including an acrobatic stop that preserved a scoreless tie at one point.
 
Missouri Western (3-3-2, 1-0-0 MIAA) was led by Kaili Campbell with five shots including the game winner today, Brianna Davis led the team with both of her shots being on goal. Keeley Kroonenberg saved four shots and picked up the shutout tonight in goal.
 
The action started early with the Lions getting off two shots in the first five munitues as Kylie Stonestreet and Hays were given space to let one fly. In the 20th minute Hays made Kroonenberg collect her first save and in the 28th Scholtz forced Kroonenberg back into action. At the half the teams were scoreless with the Lions owning an advantage in shots (4-3) and were tied 2-2 on corner kicks.
 
In the second half the Griffons were firing on sight but only had two shots on goal while the Lions still continued to control most of the pace of the game. Barkyoumb got free on the wing and let loose a shot in the 58th minute but Kroonenberg was there to stop it. The Griffons ripped off the next eight shots in the game including a stretch of six straight that were either blocked or wide before Doneghue was forced into action in the 75th minute. 
 
The lone goal of the game came after a blocked shot in the box returned to Campbell who then slotted it into the net for the game winner as both teams were showing signs of fatigue and attacking play was starting to waver. Southern did fight to the end with Scholtz getting off a shot in the 78th minute and Stevens having a shot on goal with under five seconds but nothing went into the back of the net.
 
Up next for the Lions will be a week of hosting Newman and Central Oklahoma to begin the first full week of MIAA games this season. The Jets will be coming to Joplin on Friday September 23rd with kickoff set for 6:00pm and to close the week on Sunday the Bronchos will be in town at 2:00pm with both games set to be played at Hal Bodon Field.