LOUISVILLE, Ky. - A strong first half by Mississippi University for Women men's soccer went for naught, giving up a pair of second-half tallies to host Spalding University in a 2-0 setback. The loss by the Owls (1-5-1, 0-1-0) to the Golden Eagles (3-3-1, 1-0-0) was the St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SLIAC) opener for both teams.
It was also The W's first-ever SLIAC game of any kind for the Owls' sports teams.
It was truly a tale of two halves for MUW, out-shooting the SU side, 7-3, in the opening segment. However, in the final 45 minutes, the Golden Eagles peppered Owls' goalkeeper
Zach Seymour with 10 shots (six on-frame), while MUW took four tries in the half (for 11 total shots).
Seymour finished the afternoon with four saves.
The W started off fast with a shot by
Cristian Canas in the third minute, saved by SU's Micah Mattes. The Golden Eagles came right back with a counter attack of their own. Canas had a one-on-one in the 16th minute, but was denied. In the 25th minute,
Tres Ray's scoring chance was also rebuffed by Mattes.
After going int the halftime locker room knotted at 0-0, Spalding netted goals in the 67th and 86th minutes to seal the win.
Canas led MUW's offense with three shots, all on-goal.
Mo Diallo had two attempts, both on-frame, as well.
The W men will next travel to Centre College in Danville, Ky., for a non-conference bout on Sunday (Sept. 24/1 p.m. CT).
