The Lions soccer team lost two games over the weekend, dropping the first contest to the Missouri Western Griffons 1-0 on Oct. 2 in a demoralizing double overtime loss coming on a rain-soaked mushy field at home.

The team suffered the second loss Oct. 5, to the visiting Northwest Missouri State Bearcats 2-1 a day after the match was rescheduled due to rain on Saturday.

The Lions have now lost three straight games, including five of the last 6.

“Losing close games at home is always tough,” said head coach Alese Woolard. “We just need to find the back of the net again like we were in the beginning of the season. We are creating plenty of opportunities but haven’t been able to capitalize.”

The Lions now sit in 10th place in the latest MIAA standings at 1-5.

“We’ve not been able to finish our chances on goal; we dominated Sunday but couldn’t finish,” said assistant coach Chris Leshinski. “We need to keep working the basic techniques of soccer, come in to each game with an attitude that we can we win, and play with heart. We represent MSSU, and we need to play better.”

The Lions’ only goal of the weekend came from freshman midfielder Jacqueline Sampson, who came off the bench to score her first goal of the season on a header that got by the Northwest goalkeeper and found the back of the net.

“We are definitely creating opportunities and chances offensively, we’ve just got to get our shots to fall and go in,” said senior midfielder Kelsey Haist. “We’re competing right there with the teams, and we are definitely just as good as the other teams in our conference.”

Senior goalkeeper Beth Hammons was forced to exit the match late in the game due to an unspecified injury after colliding with a Bearcat player.

She was replaced by freshman Bryar Wiley, who finished out the game. Hammons has been a bright spot for the team thus far, turning in two shutouts.

The Lions return to the field today when they take on Central Missouri Jennies in Warrensburg.

The conference match is scheduled to kickoff at 7 p.m.