ST. LOUIS, MO. – Head coach Jake Alvernia and the 2013 Missouri Baptist men's soccer team kicked off the season on the right foot. The Spartans dominated the Central Baptist College Mustangs today, 4-1, at CBC field.

Coach Alvernia was making his Spartan head coaching debut and did not disappoint. The Spartans wore out the Mustangs all game long with a 23-6 advantage in the shot column.

After an MBU corner kick bounced around the front of the net, CBC goalkeeper Brady Harvey fell down, allowing Oscar Rojas to find the back of the net at the 19:25 mark in the first half. "It was a well-placed corner kick that allowed us to make something happen," said Alvernia. Providence Tucker was credited with the assist.

Sabelo Hlongwane tied the match at 1-1 with a goal at the 35:02 mark. Missouri Baptist and Central Baptist College went into halftime with the score tied 1-1. "I got into the guys at halftime and challenged them to step it up in the second half," said coach Alvernia. "The guys responded well."

The Spartans dominated in the second half, scoring three goals and blasting 13 shots. Player of the game Joe Wonsewith found the back of the net at 68:54, giving MBU a 2-1 lead that they would not look back on. MBU added to its lead when an own goal was credited to Greg Kranz at 71:59.

Alen Palislamovic put the finishing touch on an MBU win with a goal at 88:28, making the final score, 4-1. He forced the keeper out of the net and lobbed the ball towards the goal from nine yards out.

Wonsewith caused chaos for the Mustangs the entire game with high-energy and pestering defense. His intensity paid off, as he led the Spartans with five shots. He nearly found the back of the net in the first half from 25 yards out, but a nice save by the keeper kept the Spartans off the board.

Goalkeeper Corbin Rodriguez and the defense suffocated the Mustangs for 90 minutes, allowing just one goal and three shots on goal.

Missouri Baptist will travel across the river to take on Lindenwood-Bellevile on Tuesday at 4:00 pm.