Jennies stage comeback for double overtime win over Lions

The Central Missouri State soccer Jennies grabbed a dramatic come from behind double overtime victory over Missouri Southern on Friday night, 2-1. Freshman Hazel Cox (Olathe, Kan.) scored both of the CMSU goals in the outing as the Jennies stomped out any hope of the Lions winning the conference or making the NCAA playoffs.

The opening period saw both teams generate opportunities but the Lions’ Nikki Llewellyn put hers away in the 34th minute. The goal came on a loose ball after a free kick was dumped into the box. The Jennies out-shot Missouri Southern 9-5 in the period but the Lions took the 1-0 lead into the break.

Central Missouri came out strong in the second half out-shooting the Lions 10-4 but it couldn’t get a goal until late when Mallory Milburn (Olathe, Kan.) played a through ball for Cox running up the middle. She tapped it past the keeper in the 84th minute to tie the game and send it to overtime.

The overtime periods were all Jennies as they did not allow a Missouri Southern shot. Cox snagged the game-winner in the 103rd minute when she hit a shot that dipped over the goalkeepers head with two defenders on her from inside the 18-yard box. The Jennies are currently in a tie for the MIAA lead with Washburn but the Lions and Truman each have a game left. The Jens ended the season with an 11-8-1 overall record and went 8-5-1 in conference action. This was the first winning season by CMSU since 2002 while setting the school record for home wins with an 8-1 mark.