STANFORD, Calif. – The No. 15-ranked Missouri State men’s soccer team had its season end in the second round of the NCAA Tournament in a 3-1 loss to No. 22-ranked and No. 16-seeded Stanford Sunday night in California.
“I’m super proud of this team,” head coach Michael Seabolt said. “Another double-digit win season, and another trip to the NCAA Tournament. The next step is to make sure we get a home game in the second round next season and we’re going to push for that.”
As usual, the Bears stuck first and struck early as senior forward Jesus Barea scored in the eighth minute on a breakaway. Senior defender Javier Martin Gil sent the ball out to a running sophomore forward Ollie Bate, who found Barea for the shot into the left side of the net.
The goal was Barea’s 19th of his career and sixth of the season, setting a new career-high for goals in one year.
“It was a great goal,” Seabolt said. “We played really well all night. “Jesus took it well but it was a great team goal. Ollie got behind, throughout the night we moved the ball really well and we executed what we wanted to do. A great goal from Jesus, he’s a top player and I’m excited for what he can do next year as a fifth-year senior. He’s going to make a statement that he’s a pro come 2025.”
Stanford pushed the pace down by a goal and got its first opportunity on a free kick just outside the box that the Cardinal capitalized on. Sophomore midfielder Zach Bohane nailed the kick into the right side of the goal in the 18th minute to tie the game at one.
The Cardinal took the lead on a little over 10 minutes later on a cross to redshirt sophomore midfielder Shane de Flores who headed the ball in on a bounce for Stanford to quickly take the 2-1 into halftime.
Missouri State came out of the locker room with energy looking to tie the game back up. Senior midfielder Jack Denton attempted three in just over a minute. All three were on target and saved by Stanford redshirt freshman goalkeeper Rowan Schenbly. The third Denton shot was knocked out of play for a Bears corner kick. Missouri State took seven corners compared to Stanford’s two, including five in the second half.
The Cardinal pulled away in the 64th minute on another free kick. Bohane, one of the nation’s leaders in assists sent the kick into the box where redshirt sophomore forward Jackson Kiil redirected the ball into the net for Stanford’s third and final goal.
“They had quality service and quality shots on the free kicks,” Seabolt said. “We just got to find a way to get a head on those balls and get them clear.”
The Bears turned the page following back-to-back saves from senior goalkeeper Harry Townsend. Missouri State forced consecutive corner kicks in the final 10 minutes. The Bears outshot the Cardinal 11-10, concluding the season outshooting opponents by over double, 240-113.
“I’m just super proud of our seniors,” Seabolt said. “Alejandro Lopez, Kengo Ohira, Jack Denton, Kian Yari, Javier Martin Gil, Pascal Corvino and Jon Koka are an amazing group of guys. Those who have been with us a year, those who have been with us for six and everybody in between. I’m so lucky as a coach to work with those guys, this staff and everyone involved with Missouri State men’s soccer.”
Missouri State ends the season 12-4-3, marking back-to-back 12-win seasons under Seabolt and the club’s fifth straight NCAA Tournament appearance. Stanford (10-3-5) advances to the Sweet 16 to play No. 1-ranked Marshall (18-2) on Sunday, November 26.
