Box Score SPRINGFIELD, Mo. ? The UALR Trojans soccer team (0-2) failed to pick up their first win of the season as they fell to the Missouri State Lady Bears (1-1) by the score of 2-0.
“Give Missouri State credit for scoring two goals and getting the victory,” said head coach Freddy Delgado. “I felt like we did not play our best game today and believe this is a game we should have won.”
The UALR offense, who managed just one shot on goal against Memphis on Friday, managed just three today against the Lady Bears and were not able to sneak any of them by Lady Bear goalkeeper Jackie Jasper. The defense continues to be strong early on for the Trojans in 2008, however.
“Our defense is playing very well,” said Delgado. “Our midfielders played well in the first half, but as a team, and group as a whole, we need to play better in the attacking third.”
Kelsey Finders got MSU on the board in the 41st minute of the first half when she took a pass from Jennifer Hamlin and converted from about 10 yards out.
“In the first half I felt like we really dominated the pace and the tempo of the game,” said Delgado. “We made a mistake late in the half that they were able to capitalize on.”
The Lady Bears converted their second goal early in the second half when Samantha Aguilar scored on a pass from Meghan Cassidy to give MSU the 2-0 advantage.
Offensively for UALR, Danielle Dunsworth was able to get two shots on goal while Grace Rich had one.
The Trojans will be back in action on Friday, Aug. 29 when they continue the non-conference portion of their schedule against the Mississippi State Bulldogs. Game time is set for 7 p.m.
“We knew our non-conference schedule was going to be tough and the first four on the road were going to be difficult,” said Delgado. “We know it's preparing us for a run deep into the conference tournament. We have no choice but to work hard on improving our weaknesses and building on our strengths this week, because next week's games will be even tougher than the games we played this weekend.”
