ST. LOUIS – [BOX SCORE] The Spartans couldn't hold an early lead in a 5-3 road loss to Central Baptist College Saturday afternoon.
The Spartans (2-9, 0-5) three goals marked the team's highest goal output since September 12th and second highest of the season. They took a 2-1 lead just over 23 minutes into the game, but then allowed four unanswered goals in the eventual loss.
Gerrardo Espinoza started the scoring for Missouri Baptist in the 12th minute. After a Central Baptist foul inside the penalty box, Espinoza buried the free kick into the net to give the Spartans the early 1-0 lead. The goal was Espinoza's team-high third of the season.
The Mustangs netted the equalizer in the 19th minute before Rafael Rangel gave the Spartans a 2-1 lead four minutes later. Eduardo Mendes-Maia was credited with the assist.
The Spartans lead didn't last long. Central Baptist rattled off three straight goals before the half to take a 4-2 lead into the break. Jarrel Grimes tied the game with a goal in the 28th minute and Oscar Martinez gave Central Baptist a 3-2 lead with a goal in the 39th minute. The Mustangs padded their lead just one minute later when Joe Adkins found the net as well.
The second half featured two goals, one for both sides. Missouri Baptist struggled to get shots off in the final frame, but the one they did snuck past Mustang goalie Bryce Deaton.
Erick Ocampo scored for the Spartans just before the final whistle. His goal in the 89th minute cut the Central Baptist lead to 5-3 after Grimes had scored his second goal of the match three minutes earlier.
Missouri Baptist concludes its four-game roadtrip Tuesday against Harris-Stowe State. The match is set to begin at 12:00 p.m. The Spartans will then return home for four of their final five games.
