HENDERSON, Tenn. – [BOX SCORE] Missouri Baptist women's soccer extended its unbeaten streak to 11 games and moved into first place in the AMC with a 3-1 victory over Freed-Hardeman (Tenn.) on Tuesday night.
 
Coming off an emotional victory over Columbia on Saturday, the Spartans looked no worse for the wear in Henderson on Tuesday night. They started fast and had the Lady Lions defense under duress for much of the first half. They were unable to beat FHU keeper Erin Douglas however, despite launching five shot attempts with three on goal.
 
MBU came out of halftime and peppered Douglas with four more shots but still could not find pay dirt. And as is prone to happen when one team controls the play, it only takes one chance at the other end to change the game. In the 60^th minute, Freed-Hardeman was awarded a free kick in Spartan territory. The initial delivery was punched away by MBU keeper Jemica Artillaga but the Lady Lions corralled the rebound and attacker Samantha Clymer slipped it home to give side a 1-0 lead.
 
Despite falling behind against the run of play, Missouri Baptist didn't panic and they would find the tying goal in the 72^nd minute via their freshman sensation Miranda Pratt. The Rosati-Kain product found space in Lady Lions' territory, cut to the middle just outside the penalty area, and launched a perfectly placed shot that eluded the goalkeeper Erin Douglas.
 
Pratt's goal was only the beginning for the MBU offense. In the 78^th minute, Allie Heinz stormed down the sideline, sidestepped a defender, and sent a cross to the far post where Nicole Talley was waiting unmarked. Talley's header deflected off the underside of the cross bar and in to give the Spartans the 2-1 lead. It was the first career goal for the sophomore from Marquette HS.  
 
Five minutes after Talley's go-ahead marker, Riley Janvrin delivered the dagger to the Lady Lions' slim hopes. Alexis Ramey took possession at midfield and played a through ball that sent Janvrin in on a breakaway. The junior sidestepped the keeper and blasted home into an open net for her sixth goal of the season. The final seven minutes played out scoreless and the Spartans came away with their eighth win of the season.
 
Missouri Baptist is now 8-4-3 overall and 8-0-2 in conference play. For the moment, they sit atop the American Midwest Conference standings with 26 points with two games remaining in the regular season. Park University will have an opportunity to reclaim the top spot on Wednesday when they host (RV) Columbia.
 
The next challenge for the Spartans will be Wednesday, October 24, when those same Pirates from Parkville visit Spartan Field. The AMC regular season title could be at stake when the teams kickoff at 10:30 am.