Box Score ST. JOSEPH, Mo. -- Although Emporia State came into the match ranked no. 6 in the United Soccer Coaches national poll, it was Missouri Western that controlled the majority of play on Friday night. Unfortunately, the Griffons came up short on the evening, falling 3-2 in overtime. Evelyn Daly notched a goal and an assist for MWSU in the outing.
Missouri Western found itself in novel territory in the 11th minute, as Daly opened the scoring. The Griffons earned a free kick on the left wing, approximately 40 yards from goal, and Daly struck a screaming line drive on goal. ESU's keeper was a bit tentative coming off the line and as Eszter Toth came flashing across the box on a crossing run, Jillian Patton hesitated just enough to see the ball go between her legs and into the net.
MWSU kept up the pressure, nearly doubling its lead near the half-hour mark. After a Jaden Skinner effort was pushed wide in the 33rd minute, Lauren Nyland and Katelynn Rowland each saw their shots blocked by ESU defenders on the ensuing corner kick.
Emporia State was finally able to equalize in the 53rd minute, albeit with a healthy dose of luck. Throughout the early going, Ashley Lakin's handspring throw in had offered the biggest offensive threat for ESU, and it finally led to the equalizer as her deep toss came into a crowd in the six yard box where it was accidentally batted in by Anna Mayer.
Mayer quickly made up for the own goal, however, with a pair of saves in the 59th minute on shots from Mackenzie Dimarco and Joanie Westcoat.
The Griffons pushed back in front in the 77th minute, with Daly again triggering the goal on a 40-plus yard free kick. Coming from the left wing this time, she played the ball ahead to Jaden Skinner, who took a touch toward the corner then sent a curling cross toward the back post. Kaili Campbell was on the spot for MWSU, heading the ball past Patton and into the net.
Emporia State again equalized in the 80th minute, with neither team able to convert in the final 10 minutes of regulation.
In the 98th minute, Lakin's throw-in would again prove deadly, as she was able to connect with Kyleigh Roe in the center of the pitch for the gamewinner.
Mayer recorded nine saves on the night for MWSU, which falls to 4-3-2 (1-1-0 MIAA) on the season. Patton picked up her seventh win of the year with six saves as ESU improves to 8-0-1 (2-0-0 MIAA) on the campaign.
The Griffons are back in action on Sunday, taking on Washburn at 1 p.m. to close out a four-game homestand.