Bolivar, Mo. — The women's soccer team began their homecoming weekend at SBU with a loss in a close match to Upper Iowa University by a score of 1-2. This loss moves the Bearcats to 3-8-1 on the season and 1-6-1 in the GLVC.
SBU faced some pressure throughout the first half of the match as the Peacocks out shot them 3-7. Three of Upper Iowa's first half shots were on target, but sophomore goalkeeper
Cece Alexander successfully saved all three. Despite SBU taking fewer shots, they equaled Upper Iowa in shots on target. Two of these shots came within the six yard box, but Upper Iowa's goalkeeper was able to save both of them.
The Bearcats came out much stronger in the second half, creating several chances early on. Both senior
Tamerra Gantt and freshman
Lydia Fickle generated shots within the first two minutes of the half, but these were once again saved by Upper Iowa's goalkeeper.
In the 64th minute of the game, junior
Annabelle Shuler took a shot towards the lower left corner of the goal which snuck past Upper Iowa's goalkeeper to put SBU up 1-0. The goal was Shuler's second of the season and sixth of her collegiate career.
Following Shuler's goal, Upper Iowa fought back and scored two goals in the 80th and 86th minute to take the lead. Although SBU created a couple more chances late in the game, the Bearcats were unable to salvage a point.
Six SBU athletes played all 90 minutes. One of these players was Gantt, who led the team in shots with five and shots on goal with three. Fickle took two shots as well, hitting the target with both of them.
The Lady Bearcats return to action in less than 48 hours with another home game on Sunday, October 12 against Quincy University at 12:00 pm on the SBU soccer field.
