ST. LOUIS – [BOX SCORE] Tyler Lewis scored off a missed shot in the 87th minute to give Missouri Baptist a 2-1 victory over No. 22-ranked Lyon College (Ark.) and a spot in postseason play.
With less than three minutes left, Lyon goalie Logan Miller blocked Josh Phillip's shot attempt from the left wing. However, Miller couldn't get to it before Lewis charged and buried it into the net.
Lewis' second goal of the season broke a 1-1 tie and sent the Spartans to AMC postseason play. The Spartans (6-11) entered into today's game needing a win to ensure a playoff berth. Lewis entered into the game in the 80th minute to give the Spartans fresh legs and proved to be the deciding addition.
The Spartans played with a one-man advantage for a majority of the second half after Lyon defender Hayden Stricker was issued a red card in the 57th minute. The chippy game between conference foes featured 34 fouls and four yellow cards, along with that red.
Gerardo Espinoza nearly put the Spartans up by a goal in the 70th minute, but Miller made a nifty save. Miller had allowed three goals all season entering into the game. The senior from Quincy, Ill. ranked first in the NAIA with an average of .220 goals allowed per game.
Missouri Baptist outshot Lyon 15-8 and controlled possession for a majority of the game, especially the second half. They struck first in the 24th minute when Erick Ocampo scored from right outside the box. His shot from straight out when right over Miller's head, off the bottom of the crossbar and into the net.
The Spartans held on to that 1-0 lead until the final seconds of the half. Lyon scored with 13 seconds remaining to even things up right before halftime. Mario Alonso went top-corner and drilled the ball past Spartan goalie Brendan Carnahan to make it a 1-1 game.
The late goal seemed to be a crushing blow for Missouri Baptist, but it eventually set up Lewis' heroics in the game's final moments. With the win, the Spartans ended the regular season 4-1 to pull off the improbable playoff run.
They will now enter postseason play as the No. 8 seed in the AMC Tournament. The Spartans will take on No. 1 Columbia on Saturday, Nov. 7 at 6:00 p.m.
