JOPLIN, Mo. — Missouri Southern soccer played Central Oklahoma to a 1-1 draw Sunday afternoon at Hal Bodon Field.
MSSU is now 3-5-4 overall in 2026 and 2-2-3 in MIAA conference play. Central Oklahoma is 6-4-3 overall and 3-1-3 in conference play.
Presley Whitmire scored the Lions' goal and led MSSU with five shots.
Daniela Marquez recorded the assist and added two shots, including one on goal.
Talia Sanders put two of her four shots on frame.
Goalkeeper
Millie Robshaw-Charlesworth finished with seven saves over 90 minutes.
Southern broke through at 22:51 when Whitmire scored off an assist from Marquez, giving the home side a 1-0 lead.
Earlier, Whitmire put two shots toward goal in the opening two minutes and added another in the 12th minute, while Sanders forced a save in the 18th.
The Bronchos created more pressure after the goal, but Robshaw-Charlesworth saved shots in the 32nd, 38th and 43rd minutes to keep the Lions in front.
MSSU played through a foul-heavy first half and went into halftime ahead 1-0.
Missouri Southern carried a 1-0 lead deep into the second half, but UCO tied the match at 75:12 on a goal by Kaitlyn Cotton, and the two teams finished the contest with the score still 1-1.
Earlier, the Lions absorbed a Bronchos push that included two Robshaw-Charlesworth saves and three corner kicks between 50:42 and 54:17.
MSSU answered with a sustained attacking stretch, recording six shots from 55:37 to 62:57, including
Sophie Spoonmore's attempt off the top woodwork, and later putting another shot on frame from Marquez at 71:27.
After Central Oklahoma tied it, Southern had a penalty kick chance at 83:30, but Sanders' attempt was saved by Maddie Ortwein, while Robshaw-Charlesworth added late saves at 76:23 and 87:23 to help keep the match level through the end of regulation.
Southern next heads to Emporia State on Oct. 16. Kickoff is set for 2 p.m., CT in Emporia, Kansas.
Fall MSSU Athletic tickets are currently on sale
online. Fans can also purchase an
MIAA Network subscription to support Missouri Southern Athletics and catch all the Lions action this 2026-27 season.
