MIAMI GARDENS, Fla.- Spartans were going up against a ranked opponent for the time this year, facing off against (11) St. Thomas University on their home turf. MBU knew they needed to come out in top form today if they wanted to overcome the challenge that is STU.

For the first time this year, the Spartans struck first, scoring a goal late into the first half, pulling ahead 1-0. Marko Dordevic was in the center of the Bobcats box with the ball, pulling in the defenders. Jack Ridley took advantage and came up alongside Dordevic to secure a pass from the sophomore. Ridley followed up with a cross to the far side to an open Sergej Misic. Misic was then able to shoot it on home, scoring his first collegiate goal. MBU was able to finish off the first half in the lead.

In the second half the Spartans gained the advantage when the Bobcats goalie was sent off with a red card. MBU was unable to score off the free kick but still found themselves a man up. Not long after the Spartans found themselves on the short end of the stick when the Bobcats scored on a rebound off the crossbar with 4:21 left in the game.

The Spartans pressed forward, going for the win, when another red card was called. Graduate student, Jack Griffiths stepped up to take the free kick just outside the Bobcats penalty box. No STU wall could keep out Griffiths as he was able to earn his first goal of the season and take the lead for the Spartans.

The last few minutes of the game the Spartans were looking to chip away at the clock, keeping the Bobcats at bay. MBU's backline was doing it's best to hold off STU. Unfortunately, the Bobcats were able to tie the game with only 16 seconds left on a free kick in the Spartans half.

"It was a crazy end to the game," said Head Coach Jake Alvernia. "Clock kept stopping when the ref never asked for it. Everything was being called. A frantic end that should have been us on top."

Next up, the Spartans will be hoping to pull out a victory against Clarke University next week on Tuesday, Sep 12 at 4 PM.