JOPLIN, Mo. — Missouri Southern women's soccer (4-8-4, 3-5-3 MIAA) rallied from an early deficit to earn a 2-1 victory over Newman (2-12-3, 2-8-1 MIAA) on Senior Day Sunday at Hal Bodon Field.
The Lions scored twice in the first half to overcome a 1-0 deficit and held the Jets scoreless over the final 45 minutes to secure the victory. Southern outshot Newman 34-10 and put 14 shots on goal compared to six for the Jets.
With the victory, MSSU improved to 4-8-4 in 2026 and 3-5-3 in MIAA conference play. The Lions' four wins this season are the most since the 2020-21 season (4-9). The MIAA wins are the most for MSSU since 2018 (3-6-2 MIAA, 7-8-3 overall).
Sophie Spoonmore recorded a career best two assists and generated nine shots, putting five on goal. She leads MSSU in 2026 with 10 points (4g-2a). Her two-assist performance and nine total shots both matched MSSU single-game records.
Daniela Marquez scored the game-winning goal (her first in 2026) and finished with three shots.
Alexis Rodriguez added a goal on three shots, including two on frame. The goal was Rodriguez's first in her collegiate career.
Bella Smith made five saves over 90 minutes and earned the win in goal. She now has 332 career saves as a Lion which ranks second all-time behind Kaney Tyler (2004-07, 335 saves).
Smith also picked up her sixth career win which moves her to ninth all-time at MSSU.
Newman struck first in the 22nd minute when Allison Hernandez found the back of the net to give the Jets a 1-0 advantage.
The Lions turned a 1-0 deficit into a 2-1 halftime lead, with Spoonmore assisting Rodriguez's equalizer at 27:18 and Marquez's go-ahead goal at 33:12.
Earlier, Smith made two saves in the opening two minutes after the Jets tested her twice, and Southern created early chances through
Presley Whitmire,
Ashley Chaput and Spoonmore while earning corner kicks.
NU went in front on Hernandez's goal at 21:06, but MSSU kept attacking with shots from Whitmire and Chaput before Rodriguez leveled the score.
After Marquez put Missouri Southern ahead,
Olivia Hermann, Spoonmore and Rodriguez each put shots on frame that Emma Lintecum saved, and the Lions carried the 2-1 lead into halftime.
Southern kept the Jets off the scoreboard throughout the second half and finished off a 2-1 win. The Lions generated 18 shots after the break and limited Newman to five attempts.
The Lions pushed early after halftime, with Whitmire forcing a save at 45:37 before MSSU added two corner kicks and multiple attempts through the opening minutes.
Smith answered a NU shot on goal in the 49th minute, and Missouri Southern continued to generate chances as Hermann, Spoonmore, Marquez,
Talia Sanders and others kept the pressure on.
The Lions added more looks late, including saved shots by
Ainsley Currie, Spoonmore and Chaput, before the Jets created a corner and three shots from 82:34 to 85:05.
Smith made another save during that final stretch, and Southern saw out the half with the 2-1 score intact.
Whitmire also recorded nine shots Sunday.
Southern finished with six corner kicks compared to two for Newman and committed eight fouls to the Jets' 12.
The win marked an important result for the Lions as they continued their push for postseason positioning in the MIAA.
The Lions recognized the careers of seniors
Ariel Sharpe,
Chloe Lucas,
Abbi Rosencutter,
Carly Laverty,
Bella Smith, Daniela Marquez, and
Talia Sanders prior to kickoff Sunday.
Southern continues the homestand and concludes the regular season at Hal Bodon Field on Wednesday, Oct. 28, hosting Central Missouri. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.
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.
