The Bears took on Freed-Hardeman University earlier today at Shawnee to try to gain another win in the Mid-South Conference. Despite scoring early in the first half, the Bears would fall to the Lions 1-2. The Bears fought to equalize for the remainder of the match, but were unable to find the back of the net for a second goal.

The Bears started off strong, pushing forward straight from kickoff to put pressure on the Lions. In the 2^nd minute, a cross was put into the box, which was deflected out of the box by Freed-Hardeman defenders. The clearance would be sent on the ground just outside the top of the box as Bobo Kikonda would take a first time shot and send the ball into the top right corner past Freed-Hardeman goalkeeper Calum Langdale, putting Shawnee on the scoresheet first. Shawnee would see two corner kicks, taken by Thierry van den Bergh, but were not able to capitalize to extend the lead. In the 7^th minute, the Lions would see their first attacking opportunity, as Kenneth Ramirez played a ball past the Bear's defensive line to Jack O'Riordan, who saw a one on one with Shawnee goalkeeper Bas Markus. The shot from O'Riordan was deflected by Markus, but would still find its way into the back of the net, equalizing the score at 1 between the two sides. The Lions would see another shot on goal, but was saved by Bas Markus. Offensively, the Bears would have a corner kick, taken by Thierry van den Bergh, which found the head of Nathan Ewing, but was saved off of the line by Freed-Hardeman defense. Both teams would exchange shots, as Bas Markus picked up another save, and both Thierry van den Bergh and Joao Toledo would put a shot on goal to force saves out of Langdale. In the 32^nd minute, Jared Hill would find Jack O'Riordan, who finished past Markus for his second goal of the match, giving Freed-Hardeman the lead over the Bears before halftime.

To start the second half, the Lions would put pressure on the Bears, as they would see shot opportunities, with Markus picking up another save and another shot going high of the goal. In the 60^th minute, the Bears would see two back to back corner kicks, but were unable to find and equalizing goal. On the other end of the field, the Lions would take another shot on goal, with Markus picking up another save to keep the Bears within 1. In the 66^th minute the Bears would see another set of corner kicks, taken by Thierry van den Bergh, where the second one found the head of Nathan Ewing, forcing another save from Langdale to keep the Bears from scoring a second goal. The second half would finish with two more shots from Freed-Hardeman, but were not put on goal. The Bears would push forward to try to find an equalizing goal, but were unable to succeed to force the game into overtime.

The Bears drop to 4-10-1 on the season and 1-8 in conference play. The Bears will be in action next on Saturday, October 23^rd, as they take on Bethel University at Shawnee in their next Mid-South Conference Match. Kickoff is scheduled for 3:00pm.

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