Missouri State Men’s Soccer Secures Championship Tournament Spot After Late Comeback Tie
The Missouri State men’s soccer team rallied with two goals in the final four minutes of play yesterday to tie Charlotte 2-2, securing their place as the No. 5 seed in the 2025 American Conference Men’s Soccer Championship Tournament.
The Bears (6-5-4, 3-3-2) fell behind early after Natsuki Ogata scored for Charlotte (8-4-3, 5-1-2) in the 13th minute, and Elias Arsvoll extended the lead in the 62nd minute. However, a penalty kick converted by senior Daniele Verdirosi in the 86th minute sparked the comeback, followed by an own goal forced by junior Diego Real in the 89th minute. This dramatic finish ensures the Bears will continue their season with a quarterfinal matchup against No. 4 seed FIU.
“I tried to just focus on the kick and I was so happy to score and help the team come back tonight,” Verdirosi said following the game. Despite being outshot 11-10, with only two shots on goal to Charlotte’s five, Missouri State capitalized on late opportunities. The American Athletic Conference is a competitive landscape for collegiate soccer, and qualifying for the tournament is a significant achievement for the program. More information about collegiate soccer can be found at the NCAA website.
Head coach Michael Seabolt praised his team’s resilience, stating, “This has been a challenging season, but the boys have risen to the occasion.” The Bears will travel to FIU for the quarterfinal round on Friday evening, with the game scheduled for 6:00 p.m. and broadcast on ESPN+.
