ST. LOUIS – Missouri Baptist men's soccer held No. 25 Belhaven University to two goals on Saturday, but fell to the Blazers in regulation, 2-1.

Missouri Baptist came into the game ready to play, and took an early lead. The Blazers, however, returned with a goal just before the halftone to make it a 1-1 match after 45 minutes.

MBU continued to push the NAIA No. 25-ranked club, but the Belhaven found a way to grab the go-ahead goal. Victor Lawrence found the back of the net in the 75th minute to put the team from Mississippi up for good.

"(There were) bright spots in our possession in the first half and part of the second," said coach Jake Alvernia of the positives the Spartans took from the match.

On the game Gerardo Espinoza had one goal, one shot with one on goal; Jamie Skillen had four shots with three on goal; Joe Wonsewith had three shots; and Dwight Degazon had one shot with one on goal. Zack Koeller got his first start in net on Saturday as well. The MBU goalkeeper ended the match with six saves on eight shots.

"The boys played with heart. At times it looked like we would take over tha game at 1-1 in the second half, but their second goalie broke us a bit," remarked Alvernia. "We went with a different look from a personel standpoint, and it looked very good at times. A lot to grow from and look forward to heading into conference play." 

The Spartans will be at home again on Wednesday, Sept. 17 as the team begins conference play in a showdown with Hannibal-LaGrange. Match time is set for 1:00pm at CBC Field.