The Missouri Southern soccer team avoided a nine game losing streak this past weekend as the Lions tied with Emporia State at Hal Boden field. The Lions (2-11-1, 0-7-1 MIAA) last won on Sept. 12, against Newman University at Hal Bodon field.

During their eight game losing skid, the Lions have been outscored 20-5. One issue Southern has faced during this skid is getting off to slow starts. In seven of the eight games, the Lions gave up the first goal.

In the 10th minute, Emporia State got on the board first to take the early lead on the Lions. The first half would end 1-0 ESU.

Only six minutes into the second half, ESU scored again to take a 2-0 lead with over 35 minutes left to play. That second goal seemed to be game clinching, take it that Southern has been shut out in their previous two matchups. But the match was far from over.

Southern would start the comeback as sophomore Hannah Bomar scored on a cross from sophomore Brooke Ishmael in the 72nd minute. Three and a half minutes later, Ishmael’s sister, senior Hannah Ishmael, put the equalizer in the back of the net off a rebound of her own blocked shot following a corner taken by Michaela Altvater. The game was now tied at 2.

There would be no more goals allowed for the remainder of regular time and in both overtimes as the game would end in a tie.

ESU outshot Southern 19-16 in the game but the Lions held a 3-2 advantage in both the overtime periods. Both teams combined for 34 fouls. The Lions couldn’t capitalize on their corner kick differential as the Lions outshot ESU from the corner, 10-3.

Senior goalkeeper Shawnee Phillips played all 110 minutes in the net as she recorded six saves.

Southern will be back in action today as they travel to Edmond, Okla. to face Central Oklahoma. Southern is 0-4-1 in their last five match-ups against UCO. The Lions were shutout in both match-ups against UCO last season.