Senior forward Mark Anthony Gonzalez scored a pair of goals on Saturday night as the University of Evansville men’s soccer team (2-12, 0-5 Missouri Valley Conference) lost 4-2 to Missouri State (5-5-3, 2-2-1 MVC). The first of his two goals gave Gonzalez 25 in his Purple Aces career and the final score moved him into a tie for ninth most in program history (Rune Bjoro, Mike Luttrull).
“We are continuing to battle and we are still trying to figure ourselves out,†said Evansville head men’s soccer coach Marshall Ray. He added, “We are getting to a point tonight that if we can do what we did in the second half, we are going to put ourselves in a good situation as we move into the Conference tournament.â€
The Bears went ahead on a 35th minute goal and tallied another in the 39th minute for a 2-0 advantage at halftime.
Gonzalez brought UE within one on a converted penalty kick in the 47th minute.
The Aces trailed 2-1 until Missouri State tacked on goals in the 75th and 84th minutes.
Down 4-1, UE narrowed the deficit on another Gonzalez goal in the 87th minute. Sophomore midfielder Ian McGrath headed a ball up the left wing and into the six yard box for Gonzalez, who scored in the lower right corner. It was the final goal of the night in the Evansville two goal defeat.
Both Gonzalez and McGrath took a team-high three shots. Gonzalez leads UE with six goals this season. McGrath’s assist was his third this year, tying freshman forward Zac Blaydes, for most on the squad.
The loss is the ninth consecutive defeat for the Purple Aces.
UE remains at home to host Saint Louis on Tuesday, Oct. 27. The match will be held at Arad McCutchan Stadium and begin at 7:00 p.m. CDT.
