UE men’s soccer almost steals a point from No. 10 Missouri State

EVANSVILLE, Ind. — The University of Evansville men’s soccer team ended up just shy of a point in a 2-1 loss to the No. 10 Missouri State Bears.

Senior forward Kai Phillip put together a Herculean effort in the final minute of the Purple Aces match against the Missouri Valley Conference leaders on Wednesday night. It was another slow start for UE as Missouri State scored early on broken coverage in only the third minute of the match. Evansville was able to take the ball back and get a shot off but the Bears quickly found their way back into the attacking fourth. Missouri State scored it’s second and final goal of the game in the 21st minute on a long shot to the top right corner of the net.

The team’s played keep away for the first 15 minutes of the second half. The Bears offense picked up where it left off in the 60th minute but the tide soon turned the Aces way for the final 20 minutes of action. UE took five of its six shots during the final 20, including two major chances from Phillip. In the final 10 minutes of the match Evansville peppered Missouri State goalkeeper Harry Townsend with shot after shot.

The Aces broke through with 46 seconds left on the clock as midfielder Ola Arntsen booted the ball down the center of the field following a throw in. The ball found Phillip just outside the penalty arc and with a high right-footed kick, Phillip scored his eighth goal of the season as it sailed over Townsend’s head into the net. And Phillip wasn’t done yet. Looking for his third brace of the season, the senior forward got another cross from Arntsen, this time right in front of the goal area. Phillip used his head to redirect the ball towards the net, but Townsend was able to make the save on the right side with two seconds left on the clock ending UE’s offensive onslaught.

Evansville gets nine days off before its next match on Friday, Oct. 27. The Aces will host the Bradley Braves for Senior Night at Arad McCutchan Stadium following their bye week. Kick-off for Senior Night is set for 7 p.m. on the 27th.