PARKVILLE, Mo. – Missouri Baptist Men's Soccer fell 2-0 to Park University on Saturday afternoon, ending their season in the AMC Quarterfinals.
 
"The boys gave it everything they had," said Head Coach Jake Alvernia. "It just wasn't our day. Credit to Park for coming out and making it difficult for us to play our game today."
 
It took just over five minutes for the Pirates to grab the game's first goal off a corner kick. The Spartans best chance to equalize came with eight seconds left in the half. A corner kick to the back post found Richie Taylor but the sophomore defender's header was cleared off the line.
 
10 minutes into the second half Park made it 2-0 on a backbreaking own goal by the Spartans. The two-goal deficit was a mountain the visiting side couldn't climb. The Pirates locked down defensively in the final half hour and held MBU without a shot on goal.
 
Davide Bucarelli was one of the few bright spots for the Spartans, finishing with eight saves. Park attempted 21 shots to just six for Missouri Baptist.
 
The Spartans finish 2019 with a record of 10-7-2, their second consecutive double-digit win season. With as many as 13 freshmen potentially returning next season, as well as junior goalkeeper Bucarelli, the program is set to return to contention in 2020.