ST. LOUIS, Mo.- The Missouri Baptist men's soccer team continues to improve nearing the end of the regular season, as the Spartans shutout the Harris-Stowe Hornets 5-0. 

After getting a win over Park University, the Spartan offense went quiet with the team being held scoreless at #11 Missouri Valley and William Woods. Today, the MBU offense was very high paced, outshooting the Hornets 19-4 in the first half.

MBU's Reed Holler got the team going on the right foot, with a goal in the 7^th minute giving the Spartans a 1-0 lead. Then, in the 14^th minute forward Danny Traylor kicked in a great shot into the top left hand corner of the net, giving Missouri Baptist an early two goal lead with plenty of momentum. 

In the victory over Park, a Gavin Cuddy corner kick found the head of a cutting Oscar Rojas leading the team to their first conference win. The tandem of Rojas and Cuddy connected again in the 23^rd minute, as off another corner kick, Cuddy placed the ball perfectly in front of the left goal post and Rojas was able to flick the ball off his head again giving the Spartans a 3-0 lead. 

Mid-fielder Joe Whitacre was nearly fouled when he possessed the ball, but the referees didn't call anything, so Whitacre dribbled his way past the Hornet defense and was able to beat HSSU goalie Nick Gentry getting his first goal on the season, extending the MBU lead to 4-0. 

Dylan Penrod was able to add another goal just before halftime in the 44^th minute, giving the Spartans a 5-0 lead at the half. In the second half, the team continued to control the pace of the game, outshooting Harris-Stowe 14-8 and 33-12 for the game. 

Missouri Baptist was able to hold on for the shutout victory, getting their second conference win. Nemanja Pandzic was able to get his first shutout of the season, making five saves. On offense Cuddy (two), Kyle Gault, Juan Paz and Whitacre each contributed to all five goals with assists.

Even though the team has played well lately, the wins weren't showing up for MBU until today, which didn't bother Coach Deno Merrick. "The men have done well over the past few games and today our success was down to our ability to control the tempo and flow of the game. Our midfield presence, forward movement, team defending and being positive with the ball going forward was key in today's win." said Merrick.

The teams' record now goes up to 4-11-1 and the team will be back in action on October 27^th against Williams Baptist College. Kick-off will start at 4:00 p.m.