EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. - In an attempt to spoil homecoming weekend for SIU Edwardsville (10-4, 2-1), the offensive woes continued for the Missouri State men's soccer team (5-5-3, 0-3) and the Bears fell short in a 2-1 loss on Saturday evening (Oct. 13). In spite of scoring its second goal in six games, the MSU offense was limited to three shots the entire contest.

With both teams pressing early, the scoring chances didn't come by very often in the first 25 minutes of play. Despite the Bears' tight defense, the relentless Cougars stayed patient and were rewarded in the 28th minute.

SIU Edwardsville midfielder Brian Groark ripped off a shot on goal that resulted in a great save by Bears' goalkeeper. Unable to hold onto the ball, Riggs batted the shot away right to the feet of forward Christian Volesky, who happened to be in the right place at the right time. From six yards out, Volesky put the ball in the back of the net off the rebound and registered his team- and Valley-leading seventh goal of the season.

The pesky Volesky continued to push up field and create havoc in the Bears' backfield the rest of the half. During the remaining 20 minutes, the Cougar forward recorded another three shots, including two that were just above the crossbar. 

SIU Edwardsville entered halftime with a 1-0 advantage and led the shots battle 7-2. Both Bears' attempts came in the first 10 minutes of the period.

Offensively, Missouri State stepped up the intensity in the second half and scored the equalizer in the 53rd minute. On the second of back-to-back corner kicks, Bears' midfielder Parker Maher placed a perfect ball into the middle of the box for fellow sophomore Andrew Turner and the 6-foot-2 defender from Sheffield, England punched it in to tie things up at Korte Stadium.

Ten minutes later, the Cougars returned the favor off a corner kick of their own. Positioned at the back post, Volesky finished off a Benny Jeffery corner delivery with a header and regained the lead for SIUE. It marked his second goal of the match and eighth of the season.

The Cougars ate up clock with the remainder of the time and just two shots were taken, both by the opposition. With the victory, SIU Edwardsville won its 10th match of the year, which ties for the most wins in program history since its move to NCAA Division I.

In the Bears' loss, Jarred Clark, Andrew Turner and Jack Roberts registered one shot apiece. On the evening, the Cougars outshot MSU 11-3.

For just the third time in MVC history, the Bears are 0-3 to begin league play, the last time coming in 1993.

Missouri State will continue its four-game road stretch with a conference bout against Central Arkansas on Wednesday (Oct. 17) at 3 p.m.

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