JOPLIN, Mo. – Rogers State women's soccer opened up divisional play with a 2-1 victory at Missouri Southern Saturday night, winning in overtime at Hal Boden Field.
 
Highlights

• Missouri Southern opened up the game with an early shot in the third minute.
• However, it would be the Hillcats who were dominant in the first half, as Rogers State outshot Missouri Southern 8-2 in the first half, including four shots on target.
• Vanessa Gonzalez forced the first save out of Lions goalkeeper Riley Laver five minutes into the game.
• Gonzalez would put the Hillcats on the scoreboard in the 34^th minute as she took a loose ball from just shy of midfield and worked past three Lion defenders before slotting a shot just inside the right post from about 15 yards out.
• The second half saw Gonzalez force another save just 23 seconds in.
• However, Missouri Southern came out strong with the next three shots in less than five minutes, including a goal from Maya Greenquist in the 50^th minute, as she volleyed a cross from outside the penalty area and put it in the goal off the left post.
• The Hillcats would control a majority of the second half with seven shots on target, but Rogers State was unable to go back in front in regulation.
• In the first overtime, the Hillcats forced two early saves before Kori Watters netted the winner in the 97^th minute.
• Maggie Brown played a high long ball toward the top of the box. Battling a defender, Watters chipped her first touch of the ball over Laver, who was rushing out from goal to play the ball, and into the net for the winning goal.

Inside the Box Score

• The Hillcats had 21 shots to 13 from Missouri Southern.
• Rogers State had 14 shots on goal to just five from the Lions.
• However, Missouri Southern outnumbered the Hillcats 5-3 in corner kicks.
• Fouls were even in the game at 8-9
• Rogers State finished with two of the three yellow cards issued in the game.

Game Notes

• Kori Watters scored her team-leading third goal of the season and her first game winner of the year. It was her 10^th career goal in three seasons and her first game winner since the 2018 season.
• Gonzalez scored her second goal of the season. The freshman has netted a goal in two of the four games she has played this season.
• Towle finished the game with four saves.
• Brown picked up her first assist of the season and the fourth of her career.
• Rogers State begins MIAA Southeast Division play with a victory and sits atop the division standings.

Up Next
Rogers State will return to action on Thursday as the Hillcats welcome in Northeastern State to Soldier Field. Kickoff is set for 6:30 p.m. between the Hillcats and RiverHawks.