Box Score ST. LOUIS – [BOX SCORE] It took 107 minutes for the No. 2-seeded Lindenwood-Belleville Lynx to defeat Missouri Baptist Saturday night in the AMC Quarterfinals. An overtime goal from Andres Garza Rodriguez gave the Lynx the 1-0 win.
Garza Rodriguez ended the Spartans upset bid after a cross deflected off the MoBap keeper and to the foot of the LU-B striker. Missouri Baptist pieced together a brilliant performance and nearly took down a Belleville squad that reached the Final Four last season.
Head coach Jake Alvernia was pleased with the team's performance.
"The boys played like poet warriors tonight," Alvernia said. "We had several chances to put the game to bed, but missed the final quality. A wonderful game and performance by the lads."
The Spartans came out firing the game's first shots when Kyle Setchfield and Aris Nukic both took aim at the net. The navy and white recorded three shots in each half and were outshot on the night 14-6.
Freshman keeper Braedan Passalis kept the Spartans in the game all night with several terrific saves.
"Braedan stood on his head tonight," Alvernia said. "He played outstanding."
Passalis made six saves in total and did his part to give the Spartans a chance at the upset. Garza-Rodriguez led the way with four shots and Rodolfo Salbego also fired three shots toward the net.
Erick Ocampo kicked two shots toward the net in the 68th and 70th minute to nearly give the Spartans the lead. Mats Mehus also had a shot in the second half.
The loss ends the Spartans season with a record of 8-8-3. The Lynx improve to 11-6 and will face Columbia in the second round.
