SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – The Missouri State women’s soccer got the 2012 season underway in a successful manner with a 1-0 exhibition win over visiting Central Arkansas at Plaster Field Thursday evening.  Freshman Nikki Kerrigan scored the Bears’ goal in the win.

“Some of our new players looked solid tonight and I take that as a positive in their first game,” said head coach Rob Brewer.  “We wanted to get players minutes, get some experience.  We had pretty good possession and were able to create a number of chances.”

Missouri State held most of the offensive pressure in the first half as the Bears registered two shots within the first 10 minutes.  MSU earned the match’s first two corners of the match as well.

The Bears got on the board in the 28th minute.   Junior Rachel Weimer picked up a loose ball along the left side near midfield.  She shipped the ball ahead to freshman Molly Brewer who dribbled to the endline at the edge of the box.  Brewer drifted a cross into the box and Kerrigan was able to get the ball over the keeper into the upper right corner.

Missouri State kept up the offensive pressure and ended the half outshooting UCA 7-0.  Kerrigan led the way with four first half shots.

The second half saw a lot of back-and-forth action as the teams tried to see new faces on the field.  MSU played 11 of its 13 newcomers.

The Bears outshot UCA 11-2 in the match and earned five of the eight corners in the match.  Kerrigan led all Bears with five shots in the match.  Six other Bears registered a shot each in the game.

Missouri State will travel to Saint Louis to take on the Billikens in the final exhibition match of the season on Saturday evening.  Kickoff is slated for 6:00 at Hermann Stadium.  The Bears will begin the regular season next Friday (Aug. 17) with a home match versus UALR at 7:00 p.m. at Plaster Field.

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