The Standard

Issue date: 11/6/07 Section: Sports

Losing is like a disease that sticks out and tries to overtake the body.

When trying to keep your body healthy week in and week out, that enigma of losing can take you to the ground.

That's what Saturday night was for Missouri State men's soccer coach Jon Leamy. The Bears lost 2-1 to a visiting Evansville, but just as it has been all season, the win was in their grasp.

"I'm cutting this one out of me like a (disease)," Leamy said. "At this point it's about results. We gave up some soft goals, and then we dug a hole for ourselves."

Leamy was upset over the result, and after the goals that went in, any coach would be.

Evansville went up in the third minute of the game with a 35-yard lofted kick from Dustin Awe that floated over senior goalkeeper Lance Parker's diving frame and into the back of the net.

The second Evansville goal came when senior defender Andy Cooper and Parker got their signals crossed on a deep ball played into the Bears defensive third.

Parker came out of his goal to catch the long ball but before he got to it, Cooper headed it back and seemingly out of danger. The ball took one bounce and landed in the back of the net for the decisive goal.

The first goal seemed to shock Missouri State into its offensive flow as they took eight shots before the halftime whistle sounded. One of those eight shots found the back of the net.

Sophomore midfielder Johannes Demarzi played a ball from a link up between sophomores forward Kyle Windmueller and midfielder Will Ziegahn.

The pass resulted in a Demarzi 15-yard shot from wide right that was low and went right past onrushing Evansville goalkeeper Alec Dufty.

Missouri State had a couple of close chances, but as the story has been all season, the final shot wasn't there.

"Our guys need to be more assertive, they need to pull the trigger," Leamy said. "There's no sugar coating it. We need to stop talking and we need to do it."

There were also some shaky moments, which echoed of games past. Parker would make a good save and pass the ball aside, but into a crowd of players.

On the night, Missouri State was out-shot 19-14. Parker was forced to make nine saves and both teams were equal on fouls. Demarzi and senior midfielder Yanik Joseph both got yellow cards as Missouri State used their strength to get into the game.

Missouri State plays its home and regular season finale this Saturday against Drake at 7 p.m.

Page 1 of 1

Article Tools