MARSHALL, Mo. – [BOX SCORE] Missouri Baptist men's soccer battled to the end but ultimately fell short against Missouri Valley College on Saturday afternoon in the NAIA National Championship Opening Round. After a 4-1 defeat, the Spartans finish 2018 with a record of 14-5-3 overall.
 
The Vikings of MVC controlled possession from the get-go and had the Spartans on their heels for much of the first half. The home side broke through in the 17^th minute. A corner kick bounced around in the MBU penalty area before Juli Molas Fernandez finished it off to give Mo. Val a 1-0 lead.
 
The Vikings doubled the advantage in the 37^th minute and went into halftime ahead 2-0. The Spartans showed signs of life after the restart and they made their first dangerous scoring opportunity of the day count in the 56^th minute. Tommy Struckman sent a cross into the MVC penalty area and Cullen Barr headed home to make it 2-1. The freshman finished the season with a team-high eight goals.
 
Missouri Valley would regain their composure, however, and reassert themselves as the dominant force. Goals in the 63^rd and 77^th minute put the game out of reach for Missouri Baptist. The Spartans' season ended with a 4-1 defeat. The Vikings advance to the NAIA Final Site in Irvine, California the Monday after Thanksgiving.
 
MBU was outshot in the contest 9-2. Spartan goalkeeper Davide Bucarelli made five saves to put a cap on a tremendous sophomore season.
 
"MVC was tough today," lamented Spartan Head Coach Jake Alvernia. "At 2-0 down our guys showed the fight we've been accustomed to all year and they were rewarded with a good goal."
 
Alvernia noted his guys had nothing to hang their heads about.
 
"I'm really proud of these guys. What they accomplished this year was amazing and they can take measure of them now that the season has come to an end."