ST. LOUIS – Seeking revenge for last season and a season opening win, Missouri Baptist Men's Soccer got both and then some Wednesday night. The Spartans obliterated the Brescia Bearcats in a romp to open the 2022 campaign.
 
In a rematch of last season's opening game, this time at home in the confines of Spartan Field instead of on the road, Mobap opened the game with two early goals and controlled the tempo en route to a 9-0 victory. Louie Perez was the star, tallying a hat trick and a pair of assists, but every Spartan that saw the field stepped up in a cohesive effort.
 
The Spartans dictated the game from kickoff, peppering the Brescia net with shots. Senior Joe Ruane opened the scoring in the fifth minute off a corner kick, which was followed quickly by Perez sidestep around the keeper less than 90 seconds later. Mobap would outshoot the Bearcats 27-5, with 15 of those being on target.
 
Center back Ross Wilson added to the tally later in the first with a tidy finish off a set piece that was assisted by left back Jack Griffiths. The flood gates would open in the second half, with six more goals coming off the feet of Perez (54',79'), Marko Dordevic (64'), Mladen Dukic (80') and Eliman Kane (83', 87').
 
The new-look defensive unit of Wilson, Nicolo Tossici, Griffith and Emilio Hernandez was stout and only allowed one shot on goal all game, which goalkeeper Callum McKinlay saved to make it a shutout.
 
"The boys have really done well this preseason and they came out today ready" head coach Jake Alvernia said after the game. "It's good to start positive… especially because Brescia beat us last year at their place. Now we can get excited… (but) we're going to need to be better Saturday against a top side."
 
Missouri Baptist will have a quick turnaround and host No. 9 ranked MidAmerica Nazarene out of the Heart of America on Saturday at 6 P.M.