ST. LOUIS—Missouri Baptist Women's Soccer (3-6, 1-0 AMC) got the conference schedule off to an ideal start on Saturday afternoon. The Spartans cruised to a 4-1 victory over Lyon College (2-4, 0-1 AMC) on a 70 degree fall day at Spartan Field.
 
Mara George opened the scoring with her first goal of the year in the eighth minute. Gianna Gore blocked a clearance attempt by a Lyon defender inside the penalty area and the ball ricocheted directly into the path of George, who had time and space to get a shot off. It was the first goal of the year for the sophomore after a five-goal campaign as a freshman.
 
Against the run of the play, Lyon managed to respond with a goal in the 31^st minute and the match went into halftime tied at one. MBU launched 10 shot attempts in the first 45 minutes compared to just one for the Scots.
 
The Spartans came out for the second half refocused and put forth a dominant display down the stretch. It took until the 61^st minute, but Gianna Gore's third goal of the year opened the floodgates for the home side. The catalyst for the go-ahead goal was sophomore defender Saige Stowers, who sprinted nearly 60 yards from her fullback position just to force a throw-in deep in Lyon territory. Seconds later, Stowers' throw to Madi Dunahue was crossed into the six-yard box where Gore was waiting to head it home.
 
Five minutes later, Stowers was involved again. This time, Dunahue played a ball into space for her former teammate at Incarnate Word Academy. Stowers ran onto it and let go of a bullet from the top of the penalty area that beat the keeper to the far corner. It was her first career goal and it gave the Spartans a 3-1 lead.
 
The scoring was finally capped off in the 72^nd minute with Sami Mabee's first goal of the season. A long run from Alayna Buxton ended with a pass to the back post. Mabee was waiting to blast it home for a 4-1 MoBap advantage.
 
The Spartans finished with 22 total shot attempts, 11 of which were on goal. At the other end of the field, freshman Lindzey Morrison made her first career start and needed just a single save to earn her first win.
 
The Spartans will now have a week of recovery before they play host to the University of Health Sciences & Pharmacy next Saturday at Spartan Field. Kickoff is scheduled for 4 pm.