ST. LOUIS- In one of the most anticipated match ups of the regular season, Men's Soccer took on No. 12 Columbia College. The last time these two teams met was in the semifinals of the previous AMC Tournament where the Cougars brought an end to the Spartans season. With a set of goals coming the Spartans' way, the team was able to record its second clean sheet of the season against one of the top teams in the conference and in the country.
 
The tension was high starting out with neither team wanting to concede the win. It was a fight for the first goal of the match with both teams searching for the back of the net. The Spartans were deep into the Cougars half on a free kick when sophomore Marko Dordevic drew a foul right inside the penalty box. MBU's opportunity had come and the only thing between them and the lead was the CC goalie. Dordevic stepped up to take the penalty kick and sent it on home, bringing the score 1-0.
 
The Cougars were trying to claw their way back from behind, but the Spartans were shutting down any attempts they made. Goalkeeper Callum McKinlay had a total of five saves during the game with four of those coming in the later half of the second period. MBU gained some insurance well into the second half with another goal bringing the score 2-0. Sophomore Keegan Ranney went on a run, beating his defender to the ball. The Lee's Summit, Mo. native was then able to cut back in with the ball and launch it right past the goalie.  
 
The Spartans were able to secure their first win against Columbia since 2001. With the win over one of the top teams in the AMC, the Spartans are now sitting in a good position heading into the rest of conference play.
 
MBU will be putting a pause on conference play as they face off against Bellevue University next Wednesday (Oct 4) at 2 PM.