COLUMBIA, MISSOURI — Charlotte and Missouri St. battled to a 2-2 draw on Sunday, squandering late-game opportunities in a match that saw both teams surrender leads. The 49ers, ranked higher in the NCAA Tournament conversation at 8-4-3, controlled much of the first half before the Bears mounted a dramatic comeback in the final minutes. The result extended Missouri St.'s unbeaten streak to two matches while halting Charlotte's momentum after a dominant 7-0 victory over Temple.
Natsuki Ogata gave Charlotte an early advantage in the 12th minute, assisted by Ben Fisher and Jemone Barclay. The 49ers doubled their lead through Elias Arsvoll in the 61st minute off a Tate Asante assist, appearing positioned to secure three points on the road. Missouri St. refused to surrender, however, as Daniele Verdirosi pulled one back in the 85th minute before Diego Real equalized just three minutes later to salvage a point for the home side.
Charlotte dominated possession metrics, recording five shots on goal compared to Missouri St.'s two while attempting 11 shots to the Bears' 10. The 49ers' superior shot accuracy highlighted their attacking intent throughout the contest. Missouri St. goalkeeper made three crucial saves to keep his team competitive, while Charlotte's defense ultimately couldn't preserve the two-goal cushion despite controlling the match's tempo for extended stretches.
The draw leaves Charlotte at 8-4-3 overall with tournament implications still favorable given their superior record, though the dropped points sting after dominating stretches. Missouri St. improved to 6-5-4, extending their unbeaten run and bolstering their NCAA Tournament resume with a comeback performance. Charlotte hosts Temple next, seeking to regain winning form, while Missouri St. continues conference play with critical matches ahead in their push toward postseason qualification.