Box Score ST. LOUIS – [BOX SCORE] Missouri Baptist hosted No. 18 Park University in the AMC Game of the Week Tuesday afternoon and fell 2-0.
The Spartans (7-5, 5-2) were unable to find the back of the net in the losing effort. Park (8-2-1, 8-0) continued its unbeaten streak in conference play and mathematically locked up a tournament berth with the victory.
One of the Spartans best looks happened very early on when Morgan Mell turned and fired a shot from inside the box in the 1st minute. Park keeper Amy Roskell was right there to save it however, starting a terrific day for her in net.
Roskell pitched the shutout after making seven total saves. Park outshot the Spartans 15-12 for the game.
In the 29th minute, Isabel Sullivan took a free kick from just outside the box. Nimah O'Dea spotted the kick and headed it into the net to break the scoreless tie. That score held throughout halftime despite a few close chances late led by Alyssa Matz and Megan Allen. Allen sent a cross in late in the half that Monica Robinson nearly put in, but her slide turned out to be just late.
The Spartans also came close to netting the equalizer early in the second half. Off a free kick from Danielle Wilde, both Cassandra Willhite and Alexis Turner found themselves behind the defense, but couldn't quite get enough of a foot on it to score.
The home team remained within a goal until the 76th minute when Sullivan sent a cross into the middle and found a wide open Emily Key for the goal. Key's conference-high 21st goal put the Pirates ahead 2-0 for good.
Matz led things offensively with four shots, while Alex Lair made five saves in the loss. The Spartans will look to rebound against Freed-Hardeman on Saturday. The match is set for 5:00 pm.
