ST. JOSEPH, Mo. -- Meeting for the second time in the space of nine days, Missouri Western and Missouri Southern finished the 90 minutes of regulation deadlocked. On Sunday, though, the Griffons powered through for a 2-1 win with a 99th-minute rocket from Kaili Campbell.
Missouri Southern caught a huge break in the 27th minute to open the scoring. Banner Williams hit what appeared to be a high cross, and as Anna Mayer was coming out to punch it away, the ball got caught in a gust of wind and bounced awkwardly over the Griffons keeper and into the net.
MWSU gave a valiant chase over the final 18 minutes of the half, but weren't able to find the connection in the attacking third.
The Griffons came out on the front foot to start the second half, dominating the possession early. Cambell nearly found the equalizer in the 47th minute, but her shot was saved by Lilly Doneghue.
In the 53rd minute, Missouri Western was able to tie the score at 1-1, as Campbell found Eszter Toth in the middle of the field, and the transfer striker made easy work of the shot.
MWSU continued pressing, looking for a game-winner in regulation, but Missouri Southern was able to hold off the onslaught.
With the kickoff of the first overtime, the Lions were finally able to hold a bit of possession in the Griffons half of the field, but Mayer was able to stop a 96th-minute effort by Ashley Koepp and Kaitlyn Morales saw her 97th-minute chance blocked by Evelyn Daly.
After a turnover in midfield, the Griffons played the ball in to the center and Campbell was able to poke the ball off the foot of a Missouri Southern defender and turn to face goal. Spotting the Lions keeper off her line, Campbell struck it top-shelf with pace to move Missouri Western to 1-0 in conference action.
Mayer recorded three saves in the win, with MWSU holding a 9-4 edge in shots on goal on the afternoon. The Griffons (4-2-2, 1-0 MIAA) return to Spratt Stadium on Friday, Oct. 1, hosting Emporia State University. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.