The Standard

Issue date: 3/3/09 Section: Sports

Media Credit: Tim Brumitt

It was a reality check that came just at the right time for the Missouri State lacrosse team. Except for their one loss, the Bears hadn't seen much of a challenge in their games this season.

But after winning two games the weekend before by a combined margin of 26-11, the Bears found themselves in an early 2-0 hole against Saint Louis University this past Friday night.

"It was kind of a slap in the face for us," Missouri State goalkeeper Mark Livesay said of the early deficit. "We realized that we weren't playing with enough intensity and we had to change. We have a tendency to not take some teams seriously enough until we get punched in the mouth a bit."

One thing that needed changing was the Bears' intensity level.

"I brought them to the side and kind of let loose on them," Bears coach Austin Holman said of the early deficit. "I told them they had come out flat. But as soon as they realized the mistakes they were making, they fixed them right away."

Missouri State would eventually wake up, taking control of the game on its way to a 12-4 victory over SLU at Plaster Field.

The Bears also figured out the Billikens' slow but effective strategy.

"They had a guy that would stay behind the goal and look to pass up top to the open man," Missouri State team president and midfielder Brad Shearman said. "We had a hard time staying with their cutters."

Livesay, who finished with five saves, said SLU's formula was successful at first.

"They held the ball and really worked it around," he said. "They took two very good shots and they both went in."

Missouri State freshman attacker Dave Herber scored four more goals and now has 29 on the season.

He is first amongst all Men's Collegiate Lacrosse Association Division II players in goals with 29, two ahead of Sam Houston State freshman Michael Mann.

"He just finds a way to get open," Shearman said of Herber. "It's a gift. He works really hard in practice, but he also knows what to do with the ball when he gets it."

Shearman finished with three goals on the night. Senior Nick King and sophomore midfielder Mark Jasper added two goals each for the Bears.

Missouri State scored five goals in the fourth quarter against SLU to seal the victory.

Continued...

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