The women’s soccer team is still on the hunt for their first conference win, as the Miners of Missouri S&T beat the Prairie Stars 1-0 during Sunday’s Great Lakes Valley Conference game.

This was Missouri’s first conference win giving them a 1-2-1 conference record. The Prairie Stars, who have not given up a goal in the first half all season, fell short in the second half when the Miners found the net mid-way through the half.

The first half, like many previous games, remained scoreless as neither the Prairie Stars nor the Miners were able to find the net. The Miners almost had a chance to take the lead in the 39th minute, when Miner Leah Camery nearly put the ball in the net, but a save from sophomore Paige Polonus kept the first half scoreless. Senior defender Rachel Neudahl was taken out of the game with a shoulder injury and was out for the rest of the game.

Missouri dominated the second half as they outshot the Prairie Stars 11-5 in the second half, 18-9 for the entire game. Despite a strong first half by the Prairie Stars, they could not hold off the Miners allowing Camery to score in the 64th minute, giving them a 1-0 lead. The Stars could have tied the game when the Miners fouled inside their box, giving a penalty kick to UIS. Junior Falyn Lockenour took the penalty kick for the Prairie Stars but Miner goal keeper Kaitlyn Deister made the save to keep them in the lead.

Late in the game, the Stars fought to earn a goal back, which resulted in a yellow card for sophomore Eileen Kenny. They could not find a goal in the remaining time, picking up their fifth straight loss. The Prairie Stars now drop to a conference record 0-4 and are seated in last place in conference standing. They follow Maryville University who has a 0-3-1 conference record.

The Stars were not only out shot in the second half but the Miners had nine corner kicks over the Prairie Stars’ four.

Head coach Molly Grisham felt that team’s performance was “disconnected.” After Friday night’s close loss to Drury, Grisham feels that it took a lot out of the team. “But that should not be an excuse and in this conference, you [have] got to be able to play both Friday and Sunday.” The team could not find any rhythm or flow during the game; the injuries and exhaustion did not help either. After five consecutive losses, some coaches might try something different if things didn’t seem to be working. However, Grisham doesn’t feel that the team isn’t working but something else. “Honestly I think it’s this conference there is not an easy game. So I don’t think that it’s we need to change anything but add things.” The coaching staff is seeing improvements in the team but the one thing that is hurting the team are the injuries.

The Prairie Stars are on the road next week as they take on William Jewell University Friday night in Liberty, Mo. For live action stats on the game visit uisprairiestars.com.