The Griffon News

After a long awaited return to Spratt Stadium, the Lady Griffons’ soccer team could not muster a win against the Missouri Southern State Lions, falling 3-1.

The Griffons (2-12, 1-8 MIAA) hosted a team that was competing for the final spot in the conference tournament and were severely outplayed for the first half. The Lions put up all three of their goals within a span of 25 minutes, two of which came off of the foot of the extremely agile All-American Nikki Llewellyn. The last two goals came off turnovers from goalkeeper Shaylynn Milbourn.

“It was bad first decisions and I was punished for it,” Milbourn said. “Any team, including our own, would have taken advantage of it. We knew what was coming mentally, but didn’t adjust for it physically.”

Even though the Griffons were in a three goal fissure, they still managed to come out and attack the Lions for the second half. The Griffons managed to focus their attacks and played within the top third of the Lion’s defense for the second half.
The Griffons put up seven shots in the second period and at times showed enough drive to possibly bring the game back on level terms, outshooting the Lions 7-5. The only goal that managed to sneak past Lions keeper, Lisa Senkle, came off of the head of junior Michelle Polk, her first of the season.

The Griffons defense still felt pressured during the second half due to the blazing speed of the Lions forward’s counter attack. After controlling the ball in their half, the Griffons still gave up a couple of breakaway shots that were deftly saved by Milbourn. Jeff Hansen, in his second year as Griffons head coach, commended his team’s efforts in the game.

“I hate moral victories, but when you have a team that is fighting for a national tournament spot, you’re going to expect getting everything you can handle,” Hansen said. “This team will hammer you. I didn’t have to tell Shay (Milbourn) that the goal was her’s, she knew it. The balls from her feet were turned back at her in a matter of seconds. Our mistakes led to our own defeat.”

The program is still in its infancy, and is facing the problems that come with it.

“I hate hearing that it’s a learning curve,” said Hansen. “We’re starting five freshman, and we are bringing them up, but it’s going to be a battle against teams in this conference.”

The Griffons will continue their season, ending with a home stand Friday. The Griffons will host the MIAA leading Washburn Ichabods who defeated the Griffons 7-1 in a September matchup.