Women's soccer runs into scoring drought

The women's soccer team won half of Sunday's game against Missouri Southern State University, just not the scoring part of it.

The Bulldogs' hopes of winning the conference were probably dashed this past weekend as they came home without a win. They are currently three points behind Missouri Southern for the conference lead.

Since the Lions beat the Bulldogs last weekend, they will have to lose two more conference games. They have only dropped two MIAA games the entire season, though.

The 'Dogs salvaged one point out of a possible six, tying 0-0 with Southwest Baptist University and losing 2-1 to Missouri Southern University.

Head coach Mike Cannon said it's disappointing to return home without a victory.

"Obviously, a loss and a tie wasn't what we were hoping for," Cannon said. "We were hoping for a win and a tie at worst."

The offensive struggles that plagued the 'Dogs the first half of the season have taken their toll once again, sparking a three-game scoring slump at a crucial point in the season. The ball has found the net only once in the past three contests.

Cannon said he doesn't really understand how the team keeps coming up short when the players give every game their best effort.

"We keep putting kids out there, and I think every game we've played this year, no one has outclassed us," Cannon said. "That's what's kind of frustrating. We've played 16 games and only won seven. That's disappointing. Sixteen games and we haven't even won half of them."

Senior captain Lauren Cepicky said she thinks the team played well this weekend, but like other games earlier in the season, the results weren't there.

"I don't really feel like we played bad at all," Cepicky said. "I just think that in order for us to be successful as a team, we have to figure out how to make ourselves successful. I think it's kind of a choice."

The Lions of Missouri Southern sit atop the conference with 20 points, two ahead of the 'Dogs. To take conference for the seventh consecutive season, the 'Dogs need to win more games than the Lions in the final stretch of the season.

Junior midfielder Robyn Mortenson, who scored the team's lone goal Sunday, said she can't figure out why the team is struggling yet again, especially after clicking as a team and compiling a five-game winning streak.

"We feel like almost every team is kind of in the same boat as us," Mortenson said. "We need to not let what's happened in the past affect us and just continue to play our game. Hopefully Southern loses and we can take conference."

Senior defender Moe Bylina, who assisted on Mortenson's goal, said the team failed to push the ball up the whole game.

"I was disappointed because I thought we came out flat-footed," Bylina said. "[Missouri Southern] came out with a lot more intensity in the first 10 minutes, which is when they put away their chances."

Mortenson said that even though the team seems to have lost its step and hasn't capitalized on scoring opportunities, maintaining a positive attitude is key to finishing the season on a high note.

"I feel like the results of our games don't necessarily show the whole story of how we've been playing as a team," Mortenson said. "It's just frustrating that we can't get the wins that I think we deserve."

This weekend the 7-6-3 'Dogs play Central Missouri State University and Northwest University at their home fields, with the hopes of getting back on track and competing for the conference title.

The team came from behind at home to beat Central Missouri 2-1 and Northwest 4-0 the second weekend of October.

Cepicky said the team needs to roll with the punches and bounce back from a sour three-game stretch.

"Obviously we're impacted by a loss and tie, but it's how we respond to it that's important," Cepicky said.

Cannon said his team has to dig deep each and every game.

"Hopefully we can get it together for our last road trip and then our last home games," Cannon said. "We don't control our own destiny anymore, but we can at least put pressure on Southern. I'm not that concerned about the record so much. I just want us to have a good finish for the seniors and for our team in general heading into next year, as well."