ST. LOUIS—Missouri Baptist Men's Soccer improved to 3-0 in 2018 after a dramatic one-goal victory over Thomas University (Ga.) on Thursday afternoon. Freshman Cullen Barr netted the game-winner with less than 15 minutes remaining in the second half.
 
The early portion of the match was a feeling-out process as neither team could generate much offense. The Spartans finally drew first blood in the 21^st. Andrew Stuhlman sent a through ball into the box for Victor Rada. Rada's shot was saved but the Thomas goalkeeper spilled it into the path of Chase Droege who was waiting to bury the rebound.
 
The Spartans thought they'd taken a 1-0 lead into the half but Thomas netted the equalizer off a corner kick in the final minute of the frame. The marker was the first conceded by MBU keeper Davide Bucarelli this season.
 
The game remained all-square into the final 15 minutes before Missouri Baptist received another clutch contribution from an underclassman. This time it was defender Cullen Barr who delivered. Freshman Maurice Lewis used his speed to track down a long ball deep in Night Hawk territory. Lewis sent a cross into the six-yard box and found Barr, another freshman, who provided the one-touch finish.
 
The Spartans dodged a few glorious chances from the Night Hawks in the final 10 minutes and held on for the 2-1 victory.
 
"The boys fought for everything today," noted MBU Head Coach Jake Alvernia. "Thomas was good today but we wanted it more in the critical moments."
 
Barr earned the well-deserved 'Man of the Match' honor after scoring his first collegiate goal.
 
"Cullen was a monster for us today," commented Alvernia. "He played well on the back line, won balls in the air. We played him up top to win balls and he finished Thomas off with a great run and a clinical finish."
 
Missouri Baptist is now 3-0 and will look to continue the perfect start to the season when they face Ave Maria University (Fla.) on Saturday afternoon. The match will be a neutral site affair in Lakeland, Fla. on the campus of Southeastern University. Kickoff is scheduled for 4 pm CST.