FULTON, Mo.- On a sweltering evening at the North Campus Athletic Complex, William Woods University (1-5-1, 0-3-1 HAAC) hosted former American Midwest Conference foe Missouri Baptist University (2-5-1, 2-1 HAAC) in the first matchup since both institutions made the switch to the Heart of America Athletic Conference.  

The Spartans opened the game firing on all cylinders, jumping out to an early two-nothing lead on a pair of goals scored in the 16th and 18th minutes. The Woods cut the score in half in the 32nd minute on a goal by senior Megan Hughes. The shot, set up by Macie Parmer, came off Hughes' foot thirty yards from the post and slipped over the jumping keeper for the Spartans.  

Despite Woods having two corner kicks early in the second half, they were unable to convert, giving way for Missouri Baptist to increase their lead. The Spartans grew their lead out to two goals in the 67th minute when Addison Sopczak leveled her first goal of the season.  

Woods looked to decrease the deficit in the 74th minute, when Tess Roberts received a deflected shot and attempted to head it in. The shot dinked off the bottom of the crossbar and was cleared by a member of the MBU back line.  

Again, the Owls carried a promising offensive effort late in the half when KG Malefo was left on her own to face the MBU netminder. Malefo's shot was deflected and the Owls were unable to score on the corner.  

The Spartans ended the contest with a 3-1 win, their second in HAAC conference play.  

Woods hosts Graceland University at the North Campus Athletic Complex on Saturday, still looking for that elusive first Heart of America Athletic Conference win. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m.