SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Missouri S&T's men's soccer team got off to a fast start in its season opener Thursday evening against Harding, but a series of storms that came through Springfield ended up forcing the contest to be called with 10 minutes remaining in the first half.

 

The Miners had jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first 15:07 of the game on goals by David Kekec (St. Louis, Mo./Ladue) and Sam Shaffer (St. Louis, Mo./Oakville), but lightning that accompanied the storms halted play with 10:01 left in the opening half.

 

The teams tried twice to resume the game, which had already been delayed 20 minutes at the start due to lightning, but were called off the field both times before play could begin. The game was called after a delay that lasted an hour and 10 minutes.  A minimum of 70 minutes need to be played to make the game official.

 

S&T had a 10-5 advantage in shots during the first 35 minutes of play; Miner goalkeeper Pat McNamee (Fenton, Mo./Vianney ) was credited with one save.

 

The Miners will open Great Lakes Valley Conference play Sunday when they host Wisconsin-Parkside at 2:30 p.m. at the S&T Soccer Field.