PULASKI, Tenn. – Missouri Baptist Men's Soccer (4-1-1) extended its winning streak to three after an overtime victory over (RV) Martin Methodist (5-2) on Saturday afternoon. Freshman Louie Perez scored the game-winner with just under two minutes remaining in the second extra period.
 
The Redhawks entered Saturday fresh off a road win over No. 9 Georgia Gwinnett on Wednesday but it was the visiting Spartans who struck first in this one. In the eighth minute, a cross from Connor Riley looked to be headed straight for the hands of MMU goalkeeper Francesco Zanin. But Zanin spilled it and Brandon Boos was waiting on the doorstep to pounce. The senior's first of the year made it 1-0.
 
Martin Methodist evened things up in the 27^th minute and the match went into halftime tied at one. Davide Bucarelli was under siege in the Spartan goal for a stretch of the opening 45 but made five saves to keep things level. The junior would finish the match with a career-high 12 saves.
 
Missouri Baptist got off to another fast start in the second half. Louie Perez intercepted a goal kick and played a through ball to Cullen Barr. Barr then played in Jona Oesterling on the back post for a tap-in to return the advantage to the Spartans at 2-1. That lead, however, would last all of four minutes. Another strike from the Redhawks equalized the match for a second time.
 
It would stay tied through the rest of regulation and the first overtime period. Time was ticking down on the second extra period when Perez picked a perfect time for his first career goal. In the 108^th minute, Seosamh Sheerin spotted his fellow freshman on the opposite side of the field and played Perez into a one on one with the goalkeeper. Perez slotted the ball inside the far post to send the Spartans home with a 3-2 victory.
 
"Hard fought win," noted Head Coach Jake Alvernia. "The boys played their best game of the season today. Several players stepped up. We came out ready in the second half and deserved that second lead. MMU was very tough today and we had to be sharp to deal with them."
 
Freshman defender Nico Tossici was named 'Man of the Match'.
 
"Nico was all over the park today," Alvernia commented. "He was digging into challenges, good on the ball. He raised the level today."
 
The Spartans will now look forward to the start of the AMC schedule on Tuesday. They'll travel to Harris-Stowe for a 3:30 pm start. MBU returns home next Saturday against William Woods.