ST. LOUIS—MBU Women's Soccer knocked off Waldorf University (Iowa) 2-1 in the home opener at Spartan Field on Monday afternoon. The win was the first of 2021 moving the Spartans to 1-4 overall.
 
After facing three Top 25 teams in their first four games, the lack of a prefix in front of Waldorf's name was welcome sight for MBU. Despite that, the Warriors out of Forest City, Iowa were anything but a pushover. Though the Spartans had most of the possession in the first half, it took nearly a half an hour to register the first shot on goal.
 
That first chance would come off an opportunity for Madi Dunahue. The junior forward attempted to beat Waldorf keeper Sara Rodriguez to the short side, but it was ushered away over the end line. The resulting corner would then provide the breakthrough. Dunahue delivered a ball into the six-yard box and a mad scramble ensued. Senior defender Madie Gentry was able to get a toe to it and poke it home for the goal. It was Gentry's first career goal and the Spartans' first as a team this season.
 
Mo. Bap held the advantage through halftime and into the 69^th minute. Waldorf's Leslie Cruz found herself in space and distributed a cross into the path of Sydney Boyd. Boyd converted past MBU keeper Ashton Lindsley to tie the game. More fireworks arose after the goal, however, as Boyd was shown a second yellow card for taunting after the goal. She had previously picked up an initial yellow card in the first half.
 
The match was now equalized but the Spartans were up a player for the final 20 minutes and it took just over 10 minutes the advantage to payoff.  In the 80^th minute, Kaylee Simpson delivered a picture-perfect through ball into space and Maddie Mrazik ran onto it in the WU penalty area. The junior laced a shot to the far corner past Rodriguez. Mrazik's first of the year off Simpson's first career point returned the lead to the home side at 2-1.
 
The final 10 minutes played out with no issue and the Spartans improved to 1-4 on the season. Waldorf dropped to 1-6. Ashton Lindsley made two saves in goal for her first win as a Spartan.
 
The six-game homestand continues Friday when Evangel comes to Spartan Field. Kick time is scheduled for 4 pm.