ST. JOSEPH, Mo. -- With storms originally in the forecast for later in the afternoon, Missouri Western kicked off against Central Oklahoma hoping to get the full 90 minutes in before the rains, but Mother Nature had other plans. Despite dominating the first half, the Griffons came up short after a lengthy weather stoppage, falling 2-0 to the Bronchos.
Missouri Western outshot the Bronchos 9-4 (5-3 on goal) in the first half and had a 55-45 percent possession edge over the first 45 minutes, but was unable to break through and score.
The Griffons maintained the intensity as the opening whistle blew for the second half, but in the 49th minute, the teams were directed to leave the field as lightning was detected in the area.
After an almost-two hour delay that included a tornado warning and a fast-moving, drenching rain, the match was resumed, and Central Oklahoma was able to open the scoring in the 56th minute as Adria Ramirez found Taryn Kedzoir with a long through ball.
Trying to battle through the momentum swing, Lauren Street had a dangerous chance in the 58th minute as the ball squirted loose and fell at her feet in the middle of the field. She fired a hard, low shot that skipped off the wet turf and took a moment for Kaitlyn Asher to securely handle.
The shot proved to be Missouri Western's best chance of the second half, as Kedzoir doubled UCO's lead in the 72nd minute. The Griffons were unable to threaten down the stretch, falling to 9-5-2 (6-3-0 MIAA) on the season.
Missouri Western closes out its home regular season schedule on Friday, Oct. 29, hosting Northwest Missouri State for a 7 p.m. kickoff. Prior to the match, the Griffons will honor their senior class.