JOPLIN, Mo. — Missouri Southern soccer (1-1-0, 0-0-0) secured a 2-1 Senior Day victory over Rockhurst (1-1-0, 0-0-0) on Sunday at Fred G. Hughes Stadium, with the Lions scoring one goal scored in each half.
The Lions evened their record to 1-1-0 overall after the victory. The Hawks also stood at 1-1-0 overall following the loss.
Gracie Groothuis scored her first career goal in the opening half.
Presley Whitmire netted the game-winning goal off an assist from
Jilliana Reese in the second half.
Olivia Riggs made two saves for the victory and did not allow any goals in her 45 minutes in goal.
Abigail Pasternak contributed one save while conceding one goal during her time as goalkeeper in the start.
Riggs picked up the win in her first career appearance between the pipes.
The first half saw the Lions recover from an early deficit to level the match against the Hawks. After Rockhurst's Sydney Schmidt put the visitors ahead in the 26th minute, Groothuis responded for the Lions, finding the net in the 37th minute to tie the score at 1-1. Despite a flurry of fouls, including a yellow card issued to
Preslee Zeigler, the home team managed to maintain composure, with Pasternak making a crucial save to keep the score even heading into the break.
The second half started with a strategic defensive setup from both sides, but it was the Lions who capitalized on their opportunities. Despite multiple fouls from the Hawks, the Lions maintained pressure, and Whitmire broke the deadlock in the 86th minute, finding the back of the net to give the home team a 2-1 lead. Riggs was pivotal in goal, making crucial saves, including a key stop against Schmidt's shot in the 54th minute, ensuring the Lions' victory at the final whistle.
The Lions' honored the careers of seniors
Nathalia Luiz,
Olivia Riggs,
Abigail Pasternak, and
Jordan Bell prior to Sunday's game.
MSSU next hits the road, heading to Paul Quinn College on Thursday, Sept. 11 before concluding the week at Southwestern Oklahoma State University Sunday, Sept. 14.
