October 16, 2026 - Emporia State soccer outlasted Missouri Southern 3-2 on Friday in a match that saw five first-half goals.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Friday's matchup between Emporia State and Missouri Southern on the ESU Pitch was a tale of two halves, and the first half was a shootout between the Hornets and Lions.
Emporia State got the scoring started within the first three minutes, as Ava Huston played Ella Favot in behind the Lions backline and Favot capitalized for her eighth goal of the season to put the Hornets ahead. 19 minutes later, Missouri Southern found the equalizer as they scored directly from the corner kick in the 22nd minute.
Despite the goal by the Lions, Emporia State would scored twice over the next eight minutes. In the 24th minute, the Hornets converted a free kick opportunity as Peyton Pipes pounced on the ball in the box to put the Hornets ahead 2-1. Minutes later in the 30th, Emporia State won a penalty and Pipes stepped to the spot and slotted home the opportunity into the bottom left as the Hornet lead doubled to 3-1.
Missouri Southern would be the last score in the eventual first 45 minutes, as a long shot found the net with just over 90 seconds until the break as Emporia State took a 3-2 advantage into the halftime break.
Following the intermission, Emporia State gained the strong wind at their backs and used the breeze to pressure the Lions defense with 15 shots in the second 45. However, despite the pressure Emporia State applied, they were unable to increase their lead and Missouri Southern worked to find opportunities of their own. The visitors tallied five second-half shots, with four forcing a save from Terra Rybuck in goal.
Emporia State was able to hold off the Lions late in order to seal the 3-2 win on Friday afternoon.
A LOOK AT THE STATS
Emporia State held a 22-13 shot advantage over the Lions, with 15 of their shots coming in the second half. Ella Favot passed her 2025 goal tally with her eighth goal of the season. Peyton Pipes scored twice on the day and is up to four goals on the season.
UP NEXT
The Hornets will travel to Warrensburg, Mo. on Sunday, October 18 as they take on Central Missouri. Kickoff between the Hornets and Jennies is scheduled for 1:00 p.m.
