SPRINGFIELD – The Missouri State men’s soccer team (12-3-3) defeated the Omaha Mavericks 1-0 in the first round of the NCAA Tournament at Betty & Bobby Allison South Stadium Thursday night for its third tournament win in history.
“It’s great to advance in this tournament,” head coach Michael Seabolt said. “What a tremendous crowd and support from the community and the school tonight. It was fantastic to have our fans behind us and represent Missouri State.”
Like their win over Omaha in Springfield in the regular season, the Bears jumped out to an early lead on a corner kick. This time, freshman midfielder Tyler Caton found freshman defender Mattia Petricca in the 19th minute for his first career goal. Petricca placed the ball into the right corner of the net off a header on the near side of the corner kick.
Petricca scored his first career collegiate goal in his 12th career game. The freshman from Rome, Italy played all 90 minutes in both Missouri Valley Conference Tournament games and added another 81 minutes to the tally tonight.
“I am so happy for the team,” Petricca said. “I am so happy and so proud for myself.”
Trying to bounce back from the early deficit, the Mavericks quickly put the pressure on. However, the Bears kept them at arm’s length throughout the first half. Omaha was limited to just one other shot in the opening 45 minutes while Missouri State had a few additional looks before the intermission but was unable to capitalize.”
Omaha fought back in the second half with its season hanging in the balance. The Mavericks got their first shot on goal in the 52nd minute when senior midfielder Maruki Kawahara took the ball on a deflection in Missouri State’s box, but Missouri State senior goalkeeper Harry Townsend made the diving stop for his first save.
Townsend made his first start since Missouri State’s regular season finale against Drake and earned his 23rd career shutout, tying Alex Riggs for the fourth most in Missouri State history.
“Harry had a fantastic night tonight,” Seabolt said. “He was sharp, his kicking was good and he made some great saves.”
The biggest play from Townsend came in the 80th minute with pressure from the Mavericks brimming on a corner kick. The senior made another diving save on a kick from junior defender Martin Lago. Townsend deflected it out of play, but the officials reviewed the play to see if the ball had crossed over the line. The ruling on the field that it did not cross was confirmed, giving Townsend his third and final save.
“That’s what I am there to do,” Townsend said. “The boys work 90 minutes. If your team can work that hard for you, you need to produce the save.”
Missouri State’s steady defense held off a Maverick march that took eight of its 10 shots in the second half. The only team to match the Bears in shots in their first matchup this year, the Mavericks are the first team to outshoot the Bears all season, doing so 10-6.
The Bears held off the Mavericks’ last chance when an Omaha shot went over the net in the 89th minute to secure the victory. The win is Missouri State’s third ever in the NCAA Tournament and second in Springfield. The Bears defeated Denver, another Summit League team, in the first round by the same score in 2019.
“It’s another 12-win season and we played a really tough schedule this year,” Seabolt said. “You can see that in our results and in the fight and experience this group has. It means the world.”
Missouri State will look to its second-ever Sweet 16 appearance, but will need to get through No. 16-seed Stanford (9-3-5) in the second round on Sunday, November 19 at 7:00 p.m. CT in Palo Alto. The Cardinal earned the final seed to get a first round bye and will play the Bears for the first time. The game will be on ESPN+.
