EVANSVILLE – A late goal doomed the perfect start to conference play for the University of Evansville men's soccer team on Saturday evening as visiting Missouri State broke a deadlock with an 83
rd-minute header to pick up a 1-0 victory over the Purple Aces at Arad McCutchan Stadium.
The Aces (6-4-1, 2-1-0 MVC) enjoyed their best spell of play in the opening half, attacking the visitors regularly in the opening 20 minutes. A Zac Blaydes corner in the ninth-minute supplied the most dangerous attempt of the game for the Aces as Ben Weber's goal-bound header was cleared off the line to keep things level.
"Missouri State is always a tough team to play," UE head coach Marshall Ray said. "They're stingy, and they keep things tight at the back. They don't give up a lot of goals, and I think we had a lot better chances in the first half. I think we lost our rhythm a little bit in the second. Every game in the Valley is a battle. This is a chance for us to mature a little bit and grow going forward."
Weber would have another shot saved by Bear goalkeeper Liam Priestly in the 19
th minute.
The Bears (5-3-1, 2-0-0 MVC) started to build chances in the second 45 minutes, ultimately breaking through when a Scott Midgley cross from the right flank was headed home by Mitch Langton.
The Aces will return to action next Wednesday as Kentucky will close out the current four-match homestand. Kickoff is slated for 7 p.m.
NOTES: Saturday marked the first match this season that the Aces have failed to score … UE is 9-17-2 all-time against Missouri State … Last season, the Aces dropped a 4-2 decision to the Bears at Arad McCutchan Stadium … UE came out on the losing end of a pair of 1-0 overtime matches in both 2013 and 2014 … UE's last win in the series was a 2-0 victory in Springfield on Oct. 10, 2012 … The previous home Aces win in the series was by a 1-0 scoreline on Oct 11, 2006 … UE is 33-31-8 all-time in matches against opponents from the state of Missouri … Since 1979, the Aces are 6-5-1 overall on Oct. 1.
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