ST. LOUIS—[BOX SCORE] Missouri Baptist Men's Soccer dropped their season opener on Wednesday afternoon to Evangel University (Mo.). The Crusaders broke a deadlock with a goal in the 75th minute and held on to claim victory.
The Spartan attack was stymied for much of the day but did create a few opportunities in the first half. Gerardo Espinoza had the best chance in the 11th minute when he beat his man and poked the ball past the Evangel goalkeeper. It looked to be heading for the far corner but veered wide of the post. MBU managed three other shots on goal in the first half but failed to put one past Crusader keeper Josiah Dinwiddie.
The second half proved more of the same as the Spartans had the better of the possession numbers. The Crusaders did threaten in the 48th minute when Evangel forward Caleb Rodriguez rifled a shot off the crossbar. The Spartans then responded seven minutes when Eduardo Mendes-Maia hit the upper woodwork with a free kick.
The breakthrough finally came in the 75th minute when Crusader senior Kyler Moore lofted a cross into the Spartan box. Freshman Stephen Bates came up on the other end of it and headed it past MBU goalkeeper Sam Whittington. The Spartans had a late corner but could not do anything with it. The game ended 1-0.
The defeat brings MBU's record to 0-1. Their next action will be Saturday, August 26, against Brescia University (Ky.). Kickoff at Spartan Field is set for 1 pm.
