Missouri State University

The 25th-ranked Missouri State men's soccer team (11-3-2, 6-1-1) won its sixth straight game defeating visiting Drake (10-6-1, 5-3-0) in overtime, 3-2, in front of the 1,075 fans at Plaster Field this afternoon.  The crowd was the fourth largest attendance in Missouri State men's soccer history.

Missouri State jumped out to the early lead in the 16th minute on a rush up the left side.  Kyle Windmueller sent the ball ahead, where Edin Sabic took a shot from 15 yards out.  Sabic's shot got past Bulldog keeper Jordan Kadlec and an attempted save by a defender was unsuccessful.

In the second half, the Bears would double their lead in the 75th minute.  David Buckenheimer took a ball up the left side all the way to the endline before he made a move and centered the ball to Ben Griffiths.  Griffiths beat the defender to the ball and took a partial bicycle kick and drilled the ball into the net.

Drake would put goals on the board in the 81st and 82nd minute of play to tie the match and send it into overtime.  But Missouri State came out strong in the extra period.  Just 21 seconds into overtime, Gerard Barbero stole the ball from a defender and dribbled into the box, drilling a low shot into the net for the game winner.

Missouri State goalkeeper Alex Riggs made three saves and recorded his 11th victory of the season.   The Bears outshot the Bulldogs, 10-8, but Drake earned five corners to Missouri State's one.

"It was a huge win," said head coach Jon Leamy.  "I am proud of our team and the way they responded today.  We want to thank all of the fans who came out today and we hope they will be back for our match on Wednesday."

The Bears will host Evansville on Wednesday at 1:00 p.m. to wrap up the home portion of their regular season schedule.  Missouri State could clinch the conference title with a win over the Purple Aces on Wednesday.  The Bears will travel to Eastern Illinois on November 7 to wrap up regular season play.