The Omnibus

Issue date: 11/4/04 Section: Sports

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Not overlooking any opponents on their way to a Nov. 6 showdown with MIAA rival Truman State, the Southwest Baptist Bearcats soccer team added three more victories in five days to remain unbeaten in conference play.

The quest for their first MIAA title continued for SBU Oct. 29 at home against Central Missouri State. Seven minutes into the game, sophomore Pip Meo netted a goal on a cross by junior Ashley Munnelly. Adding to SBU's 1-0 lead, CMSU accidently tallied an own-goal in the 27th minute.

Junior Vanessa Toll would score the final goal of the game on a penalty kick in the second half to give SBU a 3-0 win. With the victory, the 'Cats tied their single-season win record of 13 games and extended their home unbeaten streak to 10 games. SBU junior goalkeeper Sara Eppler kept the Jennies scoreless to record her seventh shutout of the season with the SBU defense holding CMSU to three shots.

With a quick turnaround, the 'Cats traveled to Joplin to face Missouri Southern State. SBU struck quickly when Meo scored the game's first goal in the just the second minute. MSSU would later tie the game on a goal in the 64th minute. However, SBU would rebound when Meo added her second goal of the game on a far post shot from the left side.

With these goals, Meo broke the SBU single-season goal record with her 13th and 14th goals of the year. Meo's effort gave her "MIAA Player of the Week" honors. The victory over Missouri Southern gave SBU an important 2-1 win over a regionally-ranked team that tied Truman State earlier this season.

Originally hoping to host Washburn in their final home game, rainy field conditions forced the match to be moved to a neutral location - Rockhurst University in Kansas City.

On an assist from freshman Hayley Moorwood, Munnelly scored the game's first goal in the 30th minute.

Continuing her scoring, Munnelly tied the SBU single-season scoring record with her 14th season goal, a record set by Meo three days earlier against MSSU. Munnelly scored on a shot in the 64th minute to give the 'Cats a 2-0 lead.

Junior Victoria Bright would add her second goal of the season in the 73rd minute to finalize the scoring at 3-0. Goalkeeper Eppler's eighth shutout of the year included one save as SBU outshot Washburn 17-5.

These games improved SBU's overall record to 15-1-2 and 11-0-1 in the MIAA. The 'Cats currently lead the MIAA by a half-game over defending champion Truman State. SBU's final two regular season games are on the road. SBU was scheduled to play at Emporia State Nov. 4 before traveling to Kirksville to take on unbeaten and nationally-ranked Lady Bulldogs of Truman State. The 12th-ranked 'Cats will take on the third-ranked 'Dogs in an 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 6 match.

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