DES MOINES, Iowa. – The 19th-ranked Missouri State men’s soccer team (12-4-2) dropped a 2-1 decision in overtime to fourth-seed Evansville (12-7-1) at Cownie Soccer Complex in Des Moines, Iowa, this afternoon.
Missouri State weathered a fierce attack from Evansville in the first half. The Purple Aces generated 11 shots and forced Alex Riggs to make seven saves in the half. Riggs’ best save came in the 11th minute as he made a spectacular diving save to his right to preserve the scoreless tie. The Evansville attack produced seven of the first eight shots of the match.
The Bears turned the tide in the second half getting two early shots, but Evansville would find the back of the net first. Tad Kreamalmeyer would get open on the back post and beat Riggs low on the left side of the net to put the Purple Aces up 1-0.
Missouri State would respond five minutes later. Edin Sabic would send a corner kick into the box and after a scramble, Heath Melugin drilled the ball into the net to tie the score at 1-1. The goal was Melugin’s fifth of the season, tying him for the team lead.
The teams would each add another shot in regulation to no avail and the game went to overtime. In regulation, Evansville outshot the Bears, 18-13, but the Bears earned 11 corners to the Purple Aces’ four.
After some pressure by the Bears in the extra period, Evansville would get Tom Irvin behind the defense. He drilled a low ball into the net in the 100th minute, lifting the Aces to the title match with a 2-1 win in overtime.
Despite the offensive pressure by the Bears in overtime, Evansville would garner the only four shots of the period. Melugin led the Bears with three of the 13 shots. David Buckenheimer and Kyle Windmueller added two shots apiece.
Missouri State will now await its post-season fate with Monday’s NCAA Division I Men’s Soccer Championship field selection taking place at 4:30 p.m. on ESPN News.
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