ST. JOSEPH, Mo. – After being up 1-0 at the half, Rogers State women's soccer (1-7, 0-1 MIAA) couldn't overcome a furious second-half comeback from Missouri Western (7-0-1, 2-0 MIAA) in the 4-2 match to open MIAA play on Friday.
 
"Our girls fought hard," said Head Coach Chris Jones. "I am so proud of the way they had the guts to go toe-to-toe with Missouri Western and had a chance to get a result. The ball didn't fall our way, and we ended up on the wrong end tonight. However, I'm extremely proud of our fight and willingness to stay in the game."
 
Hannah Schulze and Alix Tirado-Negrete got on the scoresheet on the night. Despite allowing four goals, Tiffany Brittan made seven saves in net for the Hillcats.
 
The first half saw a heavy defensive style of play as both teams felt each other out. The Griffons narrowly outshot RSU 5-3 with each side taking two shots on goal. The Hillcats struck first in the 26th minute as Hannah Schulze found paydirt on a pass from Amaris Jasso to put them up 1-0 heading into the half.
 
The final 45 minutes were a complete tone shift as the two teams found increasing offensive success. In the 58th minute, a MWSU cross into the box accidentally careened off an RSU defender trying to clear the ball to level the score at 1-1. The Griffons would complete the comeback in the 65th minute to go up 2-1. However, the Hillcats were not done yet as they drew a penalty kick in the 72nd minute. Alix Tirado-Negrete lined up and drove home the equalizer to square things back at 2-2. It looked as though RSU might survive and pull the draw, but some late offense by the Griffons in the final five minutes sealed the game. A penalty kick goal in the 85th minute and an empty net goal in the 88th minute finalized the 4-2 decision.
 
The Hillcats will wrap up the five-game road trip on Sunday, Sept. 29 as they travel to Warrensburg, Mo. where they will have their work cut out for them against No. 9 Central Missouri. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m.