ST. LOUIS— Two goals in the final 20 minutes helped Missouri Baptist Men's Soccer pull off a second half comeback over Freed-Hardeman on Saturday afternoon at Spartan Field.
 
With a persistent driving rain and temperatures topping out in the high 40s, the Spartans and Lions labored through a sluggish first half. MBU had the better of the shot count but it was Freed-Hardeman who took the lead in the 33^rd minute on a goal by AMC leading scorer Daniel Peinado.
 
The second half was spent almost entirely in the visitors' end of the field but after 70 minutes, the Spartans still trailed by one. The breakthrough finally came with 17:05 left in the second half. A long ball from Richie Taylor from deep in his own half found teammate Seosamh Sheerin. Sheerin touched it forward for Louie Perez who found space down the sideline. Perez's cross into the box was headed home by Cullen Barr to tie the game. It was Barr's 12^th goal of the year and Perez's ninth assist—both team-highs.
 
The Spartans' two leading scorers were involved again in the 80^th minute. It was Perez to Barr to Jona Oesterling and the sophomore beat FHU keeper Callum Langdale for the go-ahead goal. Oesterling's seventh career goal also turned out to be his fourth career game-winner. Freed-Hardeman never managed a threat in the final 10 minutes and the Spartans' held on for a 2-1 victory.
 
The final shot count was 10-2 in favor of Missouri Baptist. Davide Bucarelli needed just one save in goal to earn his 10^th win of the season.
 
The win gave the Spartans 16 points for the season and maintained their sixth place spot in the AMC standings. They'll have an opportunity to jump to fourth on Tuesday when they face Williams Baptist on the road. Kickoff in Walnut Ridge, Ark. is scheduled for 3 pm.