The Missouri State women’s soccer team will advance to the finals of the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament after a 2-0 victory over Belmont in the semifinals at home on Thursday night.
MVC Goalkeeper of the Year Camielle Day led the Bears to their 11th shutout of the season and her 29th career clean sheet to snag the MVC career shutout record. Day’s effort moved her past Valparaiso’s Nikki Coryell who set the record last season with 28. Day made two saves in Thursday’s win to preserve the shutout for the top-seeded Bears.
Julia Kristensen secured the game-winner for MoState (12-4-3). The MVC Player of the Year scored her seventh goal of the year in the 21st minute, thanks to an assist from MVC Freshman of the Year Jane Hansen. Kristensen sent a rocket into the top right corner of the net and out of the reach of Belmont’s Amanda Waggoner.
Maggie O’Keefe scored the insurance goal in the 35th minute. After a Missouri State corner kick, the ball ended up surrounded by a mob of Bears and Bruins in the Belmont goal box. MVC Defender of the Year Jenna Anderson was able to get the ball loose, and O’Keefe tapped it in from there for her second goal of the year.
MoState took four more shots on-goal during the second half, all were saved by Waggoner. Kristensen led Missouri State in shots with four total. Reilly Heman and Riley Smith were right behind her with three each. The Bears outshot their Ursine opponents 15-4 and held Belmont to only two shots on-target.
“What a special night,” head coach Kirk Nelson said. “The crowd and support was electric and the team showed up to play. I’m pleased with our execution of the game plan and that was an entire team shutout. Still have work to do. We need that same crowd on Sunday! Go Bears!
Missouri State will face No. 2 seeded Drake on Sunday at 1:00 p.m. for the chance to win its fourth MVC Tournament title in its final year as a member of The Valley. Tickets are available for purchase at the gate of Betty and Bobby Allison South Stadium. The first 100 Missouri State students receive free admission to the championship game.
