FULTON, Mo. - William Woods University (8-6-3, 4-2 American Midwest Conference) put the same amount of shots on goal (seven) as Missouri Baptist University (6-8-1, 4-1-1) and pulled one back on Tess Roberts' goal in the 50th minute, but the Owls fell 3-1 to the Spartans Tuesday at North Campus Athletic Complex.

In a back-and-forth first half, WWU outshot MBU 8-6, and the Spartans had a marginal 7-6 shot advantage in the second half. Overall, the Owls outshot the visitors 14-13.

"We didn't have the outcome we wanted," William Woods women's soccer coach Lauren Robb said. "It's a learning experience and an opportunity for us to grow and pinpoint our mistakes. We hope to have a rematch in the AMC Tournament and a different result."

Despite William Woods having more attacking chances, Missouri Baptist led 2-0 at halftime, thanks to Skylar Hollinshead. Her first goal was an opposite-post right-corner strike from the left side of the pitch on a counter-attacking run in the 34th minute before netting her second goal nine minutes later. 

Just 4:32 into the second half, Roberts cut The Woods' deficit in half (2-1), placing her shot to the Spartans goalkeeper's right after receiving a pass from Wilson Hornsby, who intercepted the ball from MBU inside the penalty box.

Still anyone's game for most of the second half, it wasn't until the final 2:53 of the contest that the Spartans all but secured their win, and it was none other than Hollingshead who capped her hat trick - all three of her goals were unassisted.

The Owls registered two more shots on goal against Missouri Baptist goalkeeper Gabby Mattli than Harris-Stowe State University did in a scoreless draw last Wednesday, a performance that earned her AMC Women's Soccer Player of the Week. Mattli (3-4-1) made six saves in seven attempts.

Meanwhile, William Woods shot-stopper Belle Boschert (4-4-3) stopped four shots in seven attempts. 

The Owls and Spartans each committed 12 fouls, but WWU played a more clean game with just one yellow card compared to three yellow cards - a Spartan received two of the three yellows and was sent off in the 82nd minute.

Tuesday's contest was William Woods' final regular season home game. The Owls head to North Little Rock, Ark., to face Central Baptist College (0-9-1, 0-6 AMC) in their last match of the regular season at 1:30 p.m. Saturday at Centennial Soccer Park.  Read Full Article