Friday, November 11, 2016

No. 5 MISSOURI STATE 2, No. 1 LOYOLA 1 (OT)
Box Score

SPRINGFIELD, MO – Host Missouri State advanced to the school's eighth MVC Men's Soccer Championship title match with a comeback 2-1 overtime win over top seed Loyola Friday evening at Betty & Bobby Allison South Stadium in Springfield, Mo. The win delivered the hosts to their first MVC title match since 2014.

Loyola maintained possession for most of the half and was able to capitalize midway through the opening frame. Senior Kevin Engesser scored on a Missouri State deflection in the 22nd minute, putting the ball into the back of the net from three yards out (22:19).  The goal was Engesser's second of the season with his first goal of the season also coming against the Bears in a 2-0 win on October 22.

The hosts were able to provide the equalizer midway through the second half as Jake Buckle scored his second goal of the tournament at the 72:21 mark. Senior Mike Lightbourne provided the assist, marking his first of the season.

The match headed into overtime and the hosts were able to score the winner just under six minutes into the extra frame.  James Routledge provided the corner kick and Ricky Hoegg hammered it home for his school-record 13th game-winner and his fifth goal of the season.

The win marked the first time MSU has beaten a ranked opponent since earning a 2-1 win over No. 18 Loyola-Marymount in 2015.

Missouri State advances to take on No. 2 SIUE on Sunday in the title match of the Missouri Valley Conference Men's Soccer Championship at 1:00 PM. The Bears and Cougars also met in the 2014 MVC Men's Soccer Championship with the Cougars claiming the crown by a score of 1-0. 

No. 13 ranked Loyola sits 13-3-1 on the season and will await its postseason fate on Monday.