DAVENPORT, Iowa – The Missouri Baptist University men's lacrosse team snapped a six-game losing streak on Saturday by defeating St. Ambrose University on the road, 8-7. In an extremely physical contest that resulted in 14 combined penalties, the Spartans capitalized scoring half their goals via their man-up opportunities.
 
For much of the game, it was a back-and-forth battle between the two squads that were ranked No. 10 (SAU) and No. 11 (MBU) to begin the season. The Spartans kicked off an active first quarter just a minute into the game with an unassisted goal by Alex Todd.
 
Following an equalizer goal by St. Ambrose, the Spartans attempted to break away from the pack with back-to-back goals within a minute and ½ of each other. Todd scored his second goal of the opening period (9:09) followed by the first of four EMO goals for the Spartans by Sean Hess at the 7:24 mark.
 
Down by two, St. Ambrose came buzzing back and evened things at 3-3 before the end of the first quarter.
 
The teams traded goals twice to open the second period. Sean Hess scored both goals for the Spartans, marking his second and third man-up goals of the game. With the game at a 5-5 deadlock, MBU's leading scorer – Josh Zion – got in on the action registering back-to-back goals and his seventh multi-goal performance of the year. With the senior's series of goals, Missouri Baptist took a 7-5 lead into halftime.
 
After the break, the goals were few and far between. MBU's Andy Coulter scored the fourth and final man-up goal to give the Spartans a 3-goal cushion. That margin was needed as the Bees came clawing back once again. Following a pair of goals by SAU's Myles Leyden and Sam Kerr, the Spartans tightened up on D and didn't allow a goal in the final period of play. In fact, neither team scored in the final 17 minutes.
 
It marked the first time in six games that the Spartans held their opponent under 10 goals. The MBU defense held down the fort when it mattered most to secure their third win of the season.
 
Leading the Spartan defense was Fisher Nuss who had a team-high 6 ground balls and 2 caused turnovers. Richie Graham, Garett McKelvie and Kai Meyers also recorded caused turnovers on the night. Goalie Hunter Filla reached 10 saves for the fourth time this season.
 
Up next for the Spartans is a home game with Tennessee Wesleyan University on Wednesday, April 17. Due to construction at Spartan Field, the game has been moved to Christian Brothers College (CBC) High School with a 12 p.m. start time.