The Missouri State men’s soccer team dropped a 1-0 nail biter to Central Arkansas in the 2017 Missouri Valley Conference Championship title match here Sunday afternoon at Shea Stadium.
Through 90 minutes of action things stayed locked with no score, but with both squads getting solid looks. MSU attempted 10 shots with three on goal led by Conor Ingram, Stuart Wilkin and Kyle Hiebert with two efforts each.
However, four minutes into the first overtime period, UCA’s Niklas Brodacki knocked in the golden goal from 14 yards out to claim the victory for Central Arkansas.
Two of the best looks for MSU with less than a minute left in regulation. Jake Buckle and Hiebert both got shots off. But UCA countered defensively to send to match extra time.
Missouri State allowed UCA to get just nine shots off with three on goal.
It was the final game for four MSU seniors, including goalkeeper Liam Priestley who ended his ranked third in minutes in goal, second in goals-against average and second in shutouts.
Priestley, Nick Burtenshaw and Jordy Robins represented the Bears on the 2017 MVC Championship All-Tournament Team.
Missouri State finished the 2017 season with an overall record of 9-5-3 and as MVC regular-season champions.
