HENDERSON, Tenn. – [BOX SCORE] Missouri Baptist men's soccer knocked off Freed-Hardeman (Tenn.) 3-1 on Tuesday night to reach 10 wins in a season for the first time since 2007.
 
The match's first 20 minutes played out evenly with three shots on goal for the Lions and two for the Spartans. MBU would then strike first in the 22^nd minute. Nick Johnson sent a corner kick that bounced around in the penalty area before Jordan Lovell poked it home for his first goal of the year.
 
MBU held that 1-0 lead going into halftime but saw it disappear just two minutes after the restart. In the 47^th minute, the Spartans committed a turnover in their own half and Lions freshman Carter Chandler made it hurt with cannon of a shot that caromed off the underside of the crossbar and in.
 
The Spartans were in for a fight but proved up for the challenge by retaking the lead in 65^th minute. Cullen Barr played a high cross from one side of the penalty area to the other and found a waiting Nick Johnson. Johnson's deft touch allowed him ample space in the box and the junior slotted home his fourth of the year. Missouri Baptist had its lead back and this time they would not relinquish it.
 
Despite being in front, the Spartans kept the heat on the Lions and with just over 10 minutes left on the clock, nabbed a third goal to finish the job. In similar fashion to the game's first goal, Isaac Banegas sent a corner toward the far post where, once again, Jordan Lovell was perfectly positioned. The senior defender cleaned it up for his second goal of the game and third of his career.
 
The Lions had no way back from that point as Missouri Baptist closed out the 3-1 victory. The final shots on goal count was 10-7 in favor of the Spartans. Davide Bucarelli put in another rock solid performance in goal with six saves for MBU.
 
"That was a hard fought win tonight," noted MBU Head Coach Jake Alvernia. "Freed was good but we came out with a plan and the boys stuck to it."
 
With a goal and an assist, Nick Johnson earned 'Man of the Match' honors.
 
"Nick was lively on the ball and provided the game-winner with his fourth of the season," Alvernia said. "It came at a crucial time in the game too."
 
Missouri Baptist improves to 10-4-2 overall and 6-2-1 in conference play. With two games remaining in the regular season, the Spartans have 19 points and remain third in the AMC standings. Their next test will be Wednesday, October 24, against Park University. Kickoff at Spartan Field is scheduled for 1 pm.