DALLAS, Texas – The Missouri State men’s soccer team (4-2-1, 1-0-0) used a second half surge to rally and defeat SMU (3-4-1) in the final match of the SMU Classic in Dallas today.

The Bears got goals from Nick Dryden, Paul Paradise and Jordan Hoffman in the second half to overcome a 1-0 deficit at halftime.  Missouri State goalkeeper Alex Riggs made three saves in the win for the Bears.

Dryden scored in the 55th minute off of a free kick from senior Johannes Demarzi to knot the score at one.  Paradise put the Bears ahead in the 68th minute on a cross into the box from David Buckenheimer and Jordan Hoffman.  Hoffman would add the insurance goal in the 85th minute off a pass from Edin Sabic and Brandon Durk.

Paradise, Demarzi and Sabic each had two shots for Missouri State.  The Bears were outshot in the match, 14-10, by SMU.

“We put together a great game by the entire team today,” said head coach Jon Leamy.  “We played really well in the second half and are looking to carrying this momentum forward to our home match on Thursday.”

The Bears return home for a three-game homestand beginning Thursday, October 1 against Denver at 4:00 p.m.  Missouri State will then host Eastern Illinois October 4 at 1:00 p.m. and Creighton October 7 at 4:00 p.m. to open the home portion of conference play.

SMU Classic All-Tournament Team

MVP: Carl Wozcyenski, UAB

Victor Sambade, UAB

Curtis Ushedo, UAB

Dean Sorrell, UAB

Nick Dryden, Missouri State

Thomas Vania, Missouri State

Alex Riggs, Missouri State

Duke Ogega, Houston Baptist

Joelle Daniel, Houston Baptist

Kekoa Osorio, SMU

Dane Saintus, SMU