Boxscore

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- The University of Evansville women's soccer team picked a good time for its first road victory of the year.  Sunday's 3-1 win at Missouri State kept the Purple Aces perfect at 3-0 in the Missouri Valley Conference, and at 8-2-2 overall, the Aces have matched their best start since 2001. 

All four goals Sunday came in the first half, beginning with Caroline Sweeney's third goal of the season for Missouri State (7-4-1, 0-1-0) at the 12-minute mark.  Evansville tied the match four minutes later when Mia Tofano passed a through ball to Colleen Marty, who eluded a defender and connected from 12 yards past Missouri State goalkeeper Jackie Jasper.  The Aces made it 2-1 at 22:42 when Nicole Moyen's corner kick found Tofano, who headed the shot inside the far post for her eighth goal of the year.  Then with less than five minutes to go in the half, reserve forward Rocky Hearst took a pass down the right side from Kasey Kutzler and blasted a shot past Jasper for her second goal of the year and a 3-1 UE lead that held up for the final 50 minutes.

"Once we calmed down, got into our rhythm and played the ball on the ground more, we were a lot more effective," said UE Coach Krista McKendree.  "Our bench did a great job today.  We played more people than we have in other tight games, and they really came through for us.  We had to grind it out in the second half but our defense stayed composed and did a nice job."

Missouri State outshot Evansville 17-8, but UE goalkeeper Theresa Bagby tied her career high with nine saves.  It's three down and three to go in the MVC for the Aces, who play their next match Friday at league rival Drake.