ST. LOUIS—Missouri Baptist Men's Soccer (8-1-1) made it seven straight wins with a 3-2 nailbiter over NCAA DIII opponent Principia College (Ill.) on Saturday afternoon. The Spartans now set their sights on next Wednesday's critical AMC meeting with Columbia College (9-0, 3-0 AMC).
 
It took 25 minutes on Saturday for MBU to grab its first lead. Cullen Barr accepted a pass into space from Seosamh Sheerin and, from a tight angle, ripped a shot off the crossbar and in past Principia goalkeeper Nick Klusmeyer.
 
The Spartans would hold that advantage into halftime and double it four minutes after the restart. Again, it was Barr who headed home a cross to the far post from Connor Riley. Barr's ninth of the season set a new career-high and gave Mo. Bap a 2-0 lead.
 
Principia had plenty of fight left though. Two goals from Kaleb Keller—one from a free kick and another from an MBU turnover in their own end—evened the match with 20 minutes remaining in the second half.
 
It would take a late clutch goal from Richie Taylor to set things right again. With just under three minutes to go, a free kick from Mattia Giangrande was redirected to the back post by Matteo Uez. Taylor was there to get a foot on it and poke it past Klusmeyer for the go-ahead goal. It was the third of the year for the sophomore defender.
 
The Spartans killed off the final two minutes and change to earn their seventh straight win, tying the MBU program record.
 
"Principia came in and gave us a very tough game," noted Head Coach Jake Alvernia. "I thought we had good possession and did enough to win today, but Principia didn't make it easy.  All credit to them."
 
The Spartans outshot the Panthers 12-6. Davide Bucarelli made four saves in goal to earn his eighth win. Louie Perez picked up a second assist on Barr's second goal to extend his point streak to five games.
 
Missouri Baptist will now prepare for No. 4 Columbia on Wednesday. The match will be played at Parkway Central HS in Chesterfield. Kickoff is scheduled for noon.