Lions go winless in MIAA, end season on 14-game winless skid

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Sophomore forward Hannah Bomar dribbles the ball against Washburn University on Oct 19, 2015, at Hal Bodon field. Southern lost the game 1-0. Bomar led the Lions in goals this season with four. She also tallied two assists on the season. Bomar statrted and played in 14 of the 18 games for the Lions this season.

The Missouri Southern soccer program played its final away and home games of the season last weekend. The Lions (2-13, 0-8-1 MIAA) are currently on a 10-game winless match streak.

“That’s the rough part about this conference. There’s no easy game,” said head coach Alese Woolard.

First, the Lions would hit the road to face Southwest Baptist University in Bolivar, Mo. SBU won the early season matchup 5-2 on Nov. 17 at Hal Bodon field. The Lions were aggressive with their attacking on offense in the first half. Sophomore Taylor Beck had two shots saved by the SBU goalie, one in the 28th and 39th minutes. Senior Kimmy Hulse also had a shot saved by the Bearcats’ goalie in the 44th minute. The Lions best goal opportunity came in the 43rd minute as Beck’s shot beat the keeper and rattled off the goal post. The game remained scoreless at the break. The Lions outshot the Bearcats 8-2 while the SBU goalie tallied three saves.

The pressure remained on for the Lions in the second half as Southern would score first in the 62nd minute. Senior Kayla Gajewski sent a great pass to senior Karley Thomas, who beat the SBU goalie for the score. From there, SBU would turn the tides on the Lions and put pressure on the Lions’ defense. SBU got the equalizer in the 88th minute as Caroline Karlsson beat senior goalie Shawnee Phillips. That late goal would prove costly as it sent the game into overtime.

Sophomore Brooke Ishmael tried to win it for the Lions with the first shot attempt of overtime, but it was saved by the SBU goalie in the 97th minute. With just 28 seconds left in overtime, Karla Jamison beat Phillips for the game winning goal.

In the second half, SBU outshot Southern 13-4 and 16-13 for the game. After having no saves in the first half, Phillips had seven in second. Beck led the Lions offense with five shots and Thomas recorded four.

“Those always stick with you, those overtime games,” Woolard said. “Losing is hard, but those bite just a little harder.”

In the season finale and on Senior Day, the Lions played host to the University of Central Oklahoma at Hal Bodon field. The Lions closed out the season with a 3-0 loss. The Bronchos (11-5-2, 7-2-2 MIAA) scored all three goals in the first half to put the game away early.

At halftime the Lions honored their seven seniors, Michaela Altvater, Gajewski, Phillips, Hulse, Kacie Hulse, Hannah Ishmael and Thomas.