COLUMBUS, Miss. -  It wasn't the way Mississippi University for Women men's soccer wanted to send out its seniors, as the team suffered a 6-1 loss to the University of the Ozarks at the Lowndes County Soccer Complex on Saturday afternoon. The loss dropped the Owls to 7-8 on the season.
 
For The W men's soccer, it was the final home contest for its four senior program members. The quartet included: Kyle Rodriguez (Columbus, Miss.), Josh Martin (Memphis, Tenn.), Blake Pilgrim (Calera, Miss.) and former player/student coach Dalton Culpepper (Jackson, Miss.).
 
Despite the setback, The W is still in the hunt for a United Small College Athletic Association (USCAA) post-season playoff berth. Ranked No. 7 – with the top six teams making the USCAA tournament field – the Owls' final two matches of the year are magnified even more. MU will have a crucial Monday (Oct. 25; 3:30 p.m. CT) match at Warren Wilson College, a USCAA member, and close out the regular season at Belhaven next Friday (Oct. 29).
 
Versus Ozarks, however, The W found itself behind the proverbial eight-ball early. The Eagles netted a goal in the fourth and 20th minutes to grab the 2-0 advantage.
 
MUW found the net in the 37th minute, thanks to Stephon Walker. Walker lofted a deep kick toward frame that floated over the Eagles' goalkeeper and made it 2-1.
 
Ozarks would get one back in the 42nd minute, sending the Owls into the locker room down 3-1.
 
Any thoughts of a comeback by The W were dashed as the second half took shape. The Eagles landed three unanswered scores in the second stanza for the 6-1 final count.
 
MUW was out-shot by the aggressive Eagles', 23-9. The shots-on-goal margin favored the visitors, 17-6.
 
The W's Terrell Johnson put all three of his shot attempts on-frame. Rodriguez had both of his shots thwarted by the Ozarks' goalies, as well.
 
MU goalie David McCutchen had a busy day. Overall, McCutchen faced 17 shots on-goal, making 11 saves.