MACOMB, Ill. - Missouri State grabbed a late winner off a corner kick to defeat Western Illinois 1-0 on Friday. The Fighting Leathernecks dropped to 4-3 in 2013.

"We didn't play well at all today," said head coach Ted Flogaites. "We lacked competitive drive in the first half. We played our way into the game in the second half but to be fair we didn't have many dangerous chances. We have to have something to show for our possession. I didn't think it was a good game for either team."

In a physical match that saw nearly as many fouls as shots, Missouri State (2-6) started the match quickly, but did not get a clean look at goal during the opening ten minutes. In the 16th minute, Sarah Hall nearly put the Leathernecks ahead, but her shot was right at Jessica Perry.

The Leathernecks were able to settle in at the beginning of the second half, sending eight shots toward net during the second 45 minutes of play.

The best chances for Western came in the final ten minutes of the match. In the 80th minute, Jordan Walgren found open space and was able to get a shot off but her effort went just over the bar. Six minutes later, Jennika Myers' 25-yard strike went just beyond the far post.

The Bears grabbed the lead on a late corner kick when Kelsey Goff put away a bouncing ball in the box.

"You never want to lose on a set piece," Flogaites added. "It's really hard to swallow. We have to work harder. We gave the ball away carelessly and repeatedly. You can say we were out-competed for one moment and lost the game, but that's soccer on the Division I level." 

Western Illinois will look to rebound Sunday by renewing an in-state rivalry against Northern Illinois at 5 p.m. in DeKalb.

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