Freshman Liz Hood pressed the attack late in the match, but the Lady Owls weren't able to draw even during a 1-0 loss to Kirksville. (Chris Allen/Democrat-News) [Click to enlarge]

The Marshall girls' soccer team had its most impressive win of the season and most disappointing loss, both within 24 hours.

The Lady Owls opened the weekend Friday evening by knocking off NCMC champion Moberly, 1-0. They followed that Saturday afternoon by losing another 1-0 contest to Kirksville, which had been winless in league play.

"That's where we are right now: we play up or down to our competition," remarked Marshall head coach Josh Posegate.

The victory over the eighth-ranked Lady Spartans (14-7-1, 9-1 NCMC) was nothing less than a product of determination.

The Lady Owls were out-shot during the contest, 12-2, including 9-0 in the first half, but made their one attempt count and got strong work in the net by senior Xochitl Ruiz -- who recorded her eighth shutout of the season.

"We kind of got pummeled with shots in the first half," Posegate admitted. After the break, "we were able to defend well in the midfield and used it to counter-attack."

Marshall's lone goal involved a rare goalkeeper assist when Ruiz booted the ball deep to senior Paige Fifer, who got through the defense for a one-on-one with junior goalie Brittany Price -- beating her with the shot in the 24th minute of the second half.

Saturday's match was a mirror image of the one the previous night, with the Lady Owls holding a 12-1 advantage on Kirksville in shots on goal. However, it was the kicks which missed the net frame which proved decisive.

Junior Vicky Renderos put an 18-yard drive on goal 20 seconds into the match, but senior 'keeper Mackenzie Kelly batted the ball up into the crossbar and it fell harmlessly away. Renderos had another shot knocked away by Kelly as it headed toward the lower right corner.

Fifer missed three opportunities in the box within a one-minute span, hitting two wide to the left and firing outside the right post on another.

After controlling possession during the first half, Marshall was unable to get much going after intermission -- although both Fifer and freshman Liz Hood had chances, but neither could cash in.

The lone shot for the Lady Tigers (4-14-1, 1-8) during the second half went in, the result of ineffective clearing by the MHS defense. Freshman Megan Hueber disrupted a kick, which deflected to sophomore Katlyn Elam on the right wing. Her 30-yard shot went past Ruiz' out-stretched hands and into the upper far corner of the net.

"We probably out-played them, but we couldn't finish," Posegate said. "We've struggled with finishing all year."

The loss dropped the Lady Owls (11-6-2, 6-3) into a second-place tie with Hannibal in the league race. Marshall can wrap up that spot today with a win at Fulton.