ST. LOUIS – [BOX SCORE] Columbia College used two first-half goals to surge past Missouri Baptist 3-0 Saturday night in the AMC Tournament Quarterfinals.
The loss ended the Spartans (6-12-0) season. Missouri Baptist finished the season 4-2, with both losses against the Cougars. Columbia (17-2) advanced to the AMC Tournament Semifinals with the win.
The Cougars controlled possession for a majority of the first half, outshooting the Spartans 13-3. They recorded the first eight shots of the match, including four in the first five minutes.
Despite the strong opposing attack, keeper Brendan Carnahan and the Spartan defense kept Columbia scoreless throughout the first 35 minutes of the half. Josh Phillips and Eduardo Mendes-Maia each had a shot for Missouri Baptist but missed.
Mitchell Conning broke the scoreless tie in the 36th minute. He scored from deep inside the box off a pass from Edin Campara to put the Cougars ahead 1-0.
Erick Ocampo nearly netted the equalizer for the Spartans moments later, but his shot hit off the post. Ocampo led the Spartans with three shots. Thales Teixeira also recorded three shots for Missouri Baptist.
Columbia doubled its lead in the 41st minute off a corner kick. Campara headed in the corner from Nic Powers into the back of the net. They carried that 2-0 lead into the halftime break.
Ocampo and Teixeira combined for four shots in the second half, all inside the box. However, neither of the Spartans nine total shots could get past Columbia goalie Iain McTurk. McTurk made four saves in the shutout.
The Cougars padded their lead in the 72nd minute. Matija Ceraj put Columbia up 3-0 with his late insurance goal.
The Spartans finished the season with a 6-12 record and a 4-7 mark in conference play.
