BATESVILLE, Ark. – The Mississippi University for Women women's soccer team took a giant step closer to earning a spot in the six-team St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SLIAC) tournament, thanks to its 3-0 victory at Lyon College. While the Owls (5-7-0, 4-3-0 SLIAC) have not mathematically crossed the threshold to clinch a SLIAC post-season berth in their first season as a full NCAA Division III member, the win over the Scots (3-9-0, 1-6-0 SLIAC) put them on the doorstep.
 
With two matches remaining, only Principia College remains in position to act as the spoiler to the fourth-place Owls, who defeated the Panthers head-to-head. Assuming that Westminster and Spalding win at least one more match (both play SLIAC cellar-dweller Eureka still), Principia would need to win twice and The W lose its last two contests to end up on the outside looking in. If MUW wins one of its last two, it would be in regardless of what the Panthers do.
 
While the Owls have a tough road those last two matches – at No. 3 Fontbonne (Oct. 21) and home with No. 2 Greenville (Oct. 28) – Principia has its hands full too. The Panthers face SLIAC leader Webster – 6-0 in the SLIAC - next Tuesday, then finish up versus Spalding, both on the road.
 
As for The W, it took care of its own business versus Lyon, a team that, prior to the match, was in a position to bump the Owls, as well.
 
For the first 42 minutes the two foes played scoreless soccer. That's when The W finally broke through with a pair of goals in just over two minutes.
 
At the 42:37 juncture, Molly Moore faked an attack, then sent the ball backwards to Anacia Leyland. Leyland promptly delivered a beautiful shot from 25 yards that found the back of the net to make it 1-0.
 
At 44:40, the Owls had a free kick at midfield. Seline Decoteau sent the restart back to Olivia Deslatte, who lofted a ball to Moore charging the goal. Moore settled the ball and lifted it over Lyon goalie Priscilla Luevano to make it 2-0, as it stood until the intermission.
 
With the MUW defense keeping the Scots pretty much confined to their own half of the field, the Owls added some insurance in the 81st minute. Carlie Giles slammed in her team-leading eighth goal of the season, with the assists going to Abby Warchus and Kiersten Taylor.
 
Alex Moon went all 90 minutes in The W nets, helping the team to its fourth shutout of 2023.
 
As a team, the Owls outshot the Scots, 16 to 1. Ten of the MUW attempts were on frame.