CONWAY, Ark. – A defensive battle showed the Lipscomb men’s soccer team on the wrong side of the scoreboard, falling 1-0 to Missouri State on Monday afternoon in a neutral site game at the Central Arkansas Invitational in Conway, Ark.

 

The Bisons (1-3-0, 0-0-0 ASUN) were coming off the first victory of the season on Saturday before running into the Bears (3-0-1, 0-0-0 MVC) defense on Monday.

 

“Obviously we are disappointed with the loss,” Lipscomb head coach Charles Morrow said. “We are going to have to be better in the attacking third to produce better opportunities."

 

A scoreless first half had each team showing difficulty mustering any offensive attack. Lipscomb aimed two shots and Missouri State countering with three shots leaving the second half to decide the outcome.

 

Quickly into the second half, the Bears got on the scoreboard with a 48th minute goal. James Thomas found the back of the net from 15 yards out which proved to be the game winner.

 

The defensive affair saw just eight total shots on the afternoon. Lipscomb fired three shots with one on goal, coming from Omar Djabi. Missouri State targeted five shots, including three on goal. Bisons goalkeeper John Schnurbusch made two saves for the Bisons.

 

“I thought we took a step forward this weekend,” Morrow said. “We did some things very well and were more organized and together than we have been all year. We look forward to hosting our tournament this weekend and playing at home.”

 

Returning home to host the Hyatt Place Select Lipscomb Invitational this weekend, the Bisons host Elon at 7:30 p.m. on Friday. Preceding the match, Belmont and Oral Roberts will tangle at the Lipscomb Soccer Complex at 5 p.m.