SPRINGFIELD, Mo. - Missouri State scored two early first half goals and held off Indiana State on Sunday afternoon as the Sycamores fell on the road to the Bears in Missouri Valley play, 2-0.

ISU (6-3-3, 1-1-1) struggled to find opportunities against the Bears (5-4-3, 3-0-1) at the Betty and Bobby Allison South Stadium as the Sycamores were outshot 19-7, including 13-4 in the first 45 minutes. The Sycamore defense battled the Bear offense throughout the game with Maddie Alexander posting 12 saves, while ISU made a key stop in the 26th minute of the contest to keep the game within two against Missouri State.

The Bears scored both goals in the first 12 minutes of Sundays MVC matchup to take the 2-0 lead. The first goal came in the 10th minute as Kaeli Benedict received a pass from Julia Kristensen and sent the ball into the lower right corner of the goal past Alexander to give the Bears the 1-0 lead. Lillie Rasmussen found the back of the net less than two minutes after Benedict's goal off another assist from Kristensen to advance their lead to 2-0 early in the matchup. 
 
A pair of shot attempts in the first half came in the 21st minute when Kent and Mackey attacked the net and began to find opportunities for the Sycamores. Mackenzie Kent put ISU's first scoring opportunity on net in the 21st minute, but Bears keeper Camielle Day recorded the save to keep it 2-0.

Lehnert began to threaten late in the first half as she had a chance on goal in the 33rd minute that sent the Bears keeper diving to pick up the save. Wright also recorded a shot for Indiana State in the opening 45 minutes. 
 
Alexander went the distance in the net for ISU recording a season-high 12 saves in the contest. The Battle Creek, Mich. native has posted 66 over the 2024 season in 12 matches to lead the Sycamore defense on the year.

Fasquelle had a solid opportunity for the Sycamores in the 83rd minute to record the final shot attempt by ISU, but her shot was turned away by Day. Woods and Mackey each had chances for the Sycamores in the second half of the contest, but the Bears defense remained strong and kept the Sycamores scoreless as Camielle Day picked up three saves and a shutout for Missouri State in the 2-0 victory. 

Up Next:
Indiana State returns to Memorial Stadium on Thursday, October 3, as the Sycamores welcome Drake to Terre Haute. Kickoff time is set for 7 p.m. ET with the match set to be streamed on ESPN+.

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