BELLEVILLE, Ill. – Missouri Baptist Men's Soccer snapped a four-game winless streak with a 3-1 victory over Lindenwood-Belleville on Wednesday night. The Spartans earned their 13^th point in AMC play and moved into fifth place in the conference standings with three games left in the regular season.
 
In the final regular season meeting ever between the Spartans and the Lynx (LUB will close in May, 2020), it was the visiting MBU who controlled the first half. Lindenwood-Belleville was held without a shot on goal in the opening 45.
 
Missouri Baptist had more opportunities but as time ran down on the first half, it appeared as though they'd have nothing to show for it. Then with less than 20 seconds to go, a goal kick turned into disaster for LUB. Brandon Boos forced a turnover and Matt Peters found himself with a partial breakaway. The freshman chipped it past Lynx GK Adrian Mana with 4.4 seconds showing on the clock for his first collegiate goal.
 
A little more than 11 minutes into the second half, MBU would double the lead. Louie Perez maneuvered his way from midfield through the Lynx defense and in alone on Mana. Perez slotted home his eighth of the season to make it 2-0. Seven minutes later, the freshman from Pattonville HS would add another goal off a feed from Cullen Barr. MBU led 3-0 with 25 minutes left.
 
Lindenwood-Belleville would pull one back with seven minutes left but that would be it. Davide Bucarelli needed just two saves to earn the win in goal.
 
"The boys were buzzing tonight," noted Head Coach Jake Alvernia. "I was happy with the chances we created. We deserved the win."
 
Freshman center back Nico Tossici earned 'Man of the Match' honors.  
 
"Nico was brilliant communicating and leading our back line, "Alvernia raved. "He was a tough defender tonight."
 
Missouri Baptist (9-4-2, 4-3-1 AMC) will return home on Saturday for senior day. Freed-Hardeman will make its final regular season trip to St. Louis before departing for the Mid-South Conference in 2020. Kickoff is scheduled for 3 pm.