(RV) Baker Falls at Home to No. 5 Missouri Valley, 2-1

BALDWIN CITY - A goal within the game's opening minutes wasn't enough to complete (RV) Baker's upset bid against No. 5 Missouri Valley as the Wildcats fell, 2-1 at home to the Vikings on Wednesday night.

Reilly Marlow-Jones netted a goal in the third minute to give BU a huge momentum boost in the midweek conference clash, but MVC tied the match with a goal in the 30th minute before coming through with the game-winner midway through the second half.

The Wildcats held a 7-6 advantage in corner kicks, while MVC had a slight 12-10 favor in shots with each side posting a seven-shot half. Marlow-Jones had all three of his shots go towards goal for BU.

It was a careless turnover by the Valley backline that led to Baker's game-opening goal with Marlow-Jones coming away with the steal and then firing off his 10th goal of the fall to give the Wildcats a 1-0 lead just three minutes into the action.

Over halfway into the first half, the Vikings broke through with their first goal of the match, tying the game at 1-1 with a score in the 30th.

With the score staying tied through halftime, the intensity picked up in the second half with Marlow-Jones and Mo Salas each getting an early look, but both of their attempts were denied by the MVC defense.

Then, in the 59th minute, a BU foul led to a dangerous opportunity for the Vikings with the free kick being set up right in the middle of the edge of the box. MVC's Sam Green hooked the ensuing free kick into the back of the net to put the Vikings up 2-1 with 30 minutes left in the match.

The Wildcats tried to notch a game-tying goal of their own, earning three corner kicks down the stretch, but Missouri Valley was able to hold on to hand BU just its second loss at home this year.

With a 3-5-1 record in conference play, Baker is currently ninth in the Heart standings with two matches remaining in the regular season.

The Wildcats will host their Senior Night match on Saturday, Oct. 26 with the home finale against Grand View set for a 7:30 p.m. kickoff at Hartley Field.

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