COLUMBIA, Mo. – MBU Women's Soccer scored first on Tuesday against No. 25 Columbia but couldn't hold on in a 2-1 road defeat. The Spartans will now return home to play the final four games in the fall portion of the 2020-21 schedule.
 
It was a fast start on Tuesday for Missouri Baptist as freshman Mara George picked up where she left off on Saturday. In just the fourth minute, Madison Dodd forced a turnover in CC territory and found George, who had shooting space at the top of the penalty area. George took one touch and fired past Columbia keeper Kate Marshall for a 1-0 MBU lead. It was the first goal conceded by Columbia in four games so far this season.
 
The Cougars didn't take long to respond however. Less than three minutes later, Jewel Morelan, last season's AMC Freshman of the Year, unleashed a cannon from the top of the penalty area that beat MBU keeper Hanna Harrison just under the crossbar. The match was all-square again at 1-1.
 
Columbia continued to settle in and control possession. They outshot the Spartans 12-3 in the first half, forcing seven saves from Harrison. The levee eventually cracked in the 66^th minute. After another acrobatic save by the sophomore goalkeeper, freshman Delfina Zolesio Fernandez Blanco was there to clean up the rebound for the Cougars.
 
The home side was able to protect that 2-1 advantage for the final 25 minutes to stay unbeaten. Harrison finished with a career-high 10 saves.
 
MBU drops to 1-1 overall and in the AMC with the defeat. The Spartans return home for a rescheduled match with Central Baptist on Friday. Kickoff for the official home opener at Spartan Field is set for 12 pm. While fans are not permitted at events this fall, the live broadcast can watched on SpartanDigitalNetwork.com.