ST. LOUIS – Coming out a bit off form may have been expected for Missouri Baptist men's soccer on its Labor Day tilt with Governors State (GSU). The Spartans were more than a week removed from their last action, a 2-1 victory against No. 9 MidAmerica Nazarene, but MBU shook off the rust and kept its spotless record alive after all was said and done on Monday at Spartan Field.
 
Following an unexpected Friday cancellation of its game against LSU-Alexandria because of a travel mishap, Mobap (3-0) started slow but eventually got things right on offense and defeated GSU (1-2-2) by a score of 2-0. Defender Ross Wilson showed up again in the goal column with the first, and a determined effort by freshman Marko Dordevic sealed things late in the second frame.
 
The Spartan defense was solid throughout, especially early while the offense was doing little to break things open. Once the back-and-forth of the first 25 minutes had come and gone, Mobap began a slow breakdown of the Jaguar defense, with five shots, three being on target, coming over the last 17 minutes. The fourth of those attempts at goal netted the opener, resulting from a short corner kick routine between substitution Lucas Encino and Jack Griffiths. The ball was whipped into the far post, where Wilson awaited to head the ball back across goal for the opening score (41:22). It was the Scotland natives second goal on the season.
 
With a goal to gain back for the Jaguars and a lead to protect for the Spartans, things would get a bit chippy in the second half between the two squads. The fouls on GSU and MBU totaled 18 in the second half, with three bookings being divvied out: two yellow cards to the Spartans and a red card for the visitors going to Jon Michael Bright in the 79th minute.
 
Mobap would take advantage of the man-up advantage just moments later, as a picture perfect through ball from senior Joe Ruane arrived in the path of a charging Dordevic. After his initial shot was blocked by GSU goalkeeper Emigdio Tormo Lopez, his second effort had just enough on it to creep its way in (81:19).
 
"Boys came out slow today I thought, but I have to give them credit." Head coach Jake Alvernia said. "Against a tough side… they played through the low spots. Big Ross [Wilson] was brilliant today though. A monster in the air. Scored a goal and our Man of the Match."
 
With the result, the Spartans have now remained perfect through their first three games for the first time since the 2018 season.
 
Missouri Baptist faces one last home test before a stretch of four-straight road games. The Spartans host Taylor University for Alumni Recognition Night, where food and drinks will be served beforehand, on Saturday, September 10th at 7 P.M.