The MSSU Lions women’s soccer team kicked off the season with their first home match of the year, an unfortunate 3-1 loss to the Missouri S&T Miners Saturday, Aug. 23 at Hal Bodon Field in Joplin.

With a bunch of brand new and familiar faces within the community, the exhibition was their second of three scheduled before they begin MIAA play Sept. 4 on the road at Southern Baptist University. The loss to the Miners was the second of three scheduled exhibition matches, the first against the Drury Panthers, held Aug. 17 in Springfield, Mo. No results from that match were available at time of publication.

The Lions’ match against the Miners was a heated contest that marked the first home match for a team with high expectations going into the 2025-2026 season.

Exhibition games are a good opportunity to “…let [the team] try new things and see what works well and what doesn’t and to grow from it,” Bella Smith, junior marketing major and MSSU goalkeeper, said.

Smith added that loss is not shaking the squad, they are working nothing but up. She added that this match reflected “ a good sight of what each player is capable of on the team…helping them identify and work on [weaknesses] before our season actually starts.”

“[Preseason games] allow us to identify areas to work on, and redefine our skills,” Clarissa Davis, sophomore exercise science major and MSSU centerback, said. “We’re excited to get back to work in the weight room and on the field this week, to refine the process and product of our play.”

MSSU will host one more exhibition match Friday, Aug. 29. The Lions will face East Central University beginning at 6 PM at Hal Bodon Field. The Lions are 2-3-1 all-time against the Tigers in regular season play, with their last in-season match being a 4-3 MSSU loss in 2019.

Admission to all MSSU home matches are $5, and kids 12 and under get in free. For more information on tickets, contact Ryan Cline, Director of Event and Ticket Operations at [email protected].