ARKADELHPIA, Ark. – Two Ouachita Baptist goals in the first 12 minutes of play set Missouri Western soccer back early and they couldn’t recover as they lost their season opener Friday 4-0.

In a day that was thrown for a loop by weather in Arkansas, Missouri Western went from what was supposed to be a neutral site game against Ouachita Baptist in Searcy, Arkansas, to a road game in Arkadelphia, one hour and 45 minutes from Searcy. Carmen Scott put the Tigers up in the seventh minute with a goal from right to left. Bryson Thomas, who assisted the first goal, made it 2-0 win the 12th minute. Ouachita added two more in the second half, one in the 52nd minute and one in the 86th to hand the Griffons their first regular season non-conference loss since Sept. 22 of last year (2-0 at Central Missouri).

After being out-shot 10-6 through the first 45 minutes, the Griffons totaled seven shots to Ouachita’s nine in the second half. Missouri Western had six shots on goal in the game while the Tigers had 11. Anna Mayer, one of eight first-year Griffons to appear in the game, got the start in goal and had three saves. Ally Barb saved four in the second half. Cassidy Menke led the team with five shots, one on goal. Kelsey Roe had four shots with two on goal.

With hopefully dry conditions, the Griffons will play host, Harding, on Sunday at 3 p.m. to conclude the GAC-MIAA Challenge. Harding trailed Emporia State 3-0 in the second half of its Friday opener.

— MWSU Athletics —