Box Score ST. LOUIS – [BOX SCORE] The Spartans took an early lead and never looked back in a 5-1 win over Williams Baptist Saturday afternoon.
The win was the Spartans (6-3-3, 3-2) third in a row and put MBU over the .500 mark in conference play. The victory also helped the team match its win total from last season in six fewer games.
"This was an important win for us today," head coach Jake Alvernia said. "The guys fought hard and finished their chances."
Junior Ramon Contreras played a huge role in the Spartan win. With starting left back Connar Armstorng out, Contreras earned the starting nod and took advantage of the opportunity. Ben Randolph slid over to left back and Contreras took center back duties.
He gave the Spartans a 1-0 lead in the 7th minute when he put the ball past the keeper after it took a few bounces deep in the box. That advantage quickly became 2-0 after Josh Phillips scored for the fourth time this season off a nice feed from Gerardo Espinoza.
The Eagles had their chances as well, including a shot in the 32nd minute that hit the post. They couldn't capitalize and neither could MBU the rest of the half.
That changed early in the second half courtesy of the aforementioned Contreras. Ramon came sprinting across the field on a free kick from Erick Ocampo and got just enough of the ball to redirect it and put it into the back of the net.
Ocampo then took the scoring role in the 67th minute when he slid and finished a beautiful cross from Phillips to put the Spartans ahead comfortably at 4-0. There was no quit in Williams Baptist as they put the pressure on in the second half and answered right back on a goal from Matheus Allonso just three minutes later.
Goalie Braedan Passalis made four saves in the win. Aris Nukic put on the finishing touches with a penalty kick in the final minute. The Spartans continue conference play on Tuesday against Park from CBC Field.
