ST. LOUIS, Mo.- The Missouri Baptist women's soccer team was able to tie the game 1-1 midway through the second half against conference opponent Hannibal-LaGrange. The Spartans couldn't finalize the comeback, as the game was called after 90 minutes due to darkness.
The team was looking to move up in the conference standings, with an important win against the Lady Trojans who are ahead of MBU in the American Midwest Conference. In the first half, the game was evenly matched as the Spartans controlled the ball and the pace of the game early.
It was the Lady Trojans striking first in the 20th minute, as Raelene Blanton received a pass from Samantha Boyle and Blanton was able to get behind the Spartan defense, scoring past goalie Elizabeth Kahn giving Hannibal-LaGrange the 1-0 lead.
The Spartans continued the offensive pressure, but were unable to score trailing at the half 1-0. After 45 minutes of play, the Lady Trojans outshot the Spartans 8-6.
In the second half, it was the Spartans continuing to control the ball, but just couldn't get anything going offensively. Then, after subbing into the game, freshman forward Samauri Williams scored her second goal on the season, after a great turn around shot that found the back of the net, tying the game up 1-1.
Each team continued the offensive pressure, trying to regain the lead. The Spartans had one final chance off a corner kick from Alexis Baez in the 88th minute, however, the Lady Trojans cleared the ball out keeping the game scoreless 1-1 after 90 minutes.
The teams and coaches would normally prepare for overtime, however, due to the field not having lights and darkness playing a major factor the game was called. Hannibal-LaGrange outshot the Spartans 16-12 in the game, with Kahn coming up big for MBU making eight saves. Offensively, Megan Huffman and Kristen Neal each totaled three shots.
The teams' record moves to 4-8-1, but will look for a big conference victory at home against first place Park University on October 13th. Kick-off will start at 6:00 p.m.
