ST. LOUIS – In contrast to recent outings, Missouri Baptist Men's Soccer jumped to an early 2-0 lead against Graceland University, eventually resulting in a 2-1 victory.
The Spartans have struggled with slow play in the first half over the now five-game winning streak, which appeared to be the case again tonight. Graceland opened the match with five shot attempts in the first 24 minutes, each of which were off target or blocked by an MBU defender.
Missouri Baptist would not attempt a shot until after the 27th minute, when freshman striker Iker Alvarez checked in, making his first appearance since the squad's victory over Benedictine on Oct. 3rd. Almost immediately after the substitution, a cross ball was sent to Noham Hamidi, who headed a pass from left of the goal across to a waiting Alvarez near the right post. Alvarez had already beaten the opposing keeper to the spot, knocking the ball into the net for the game's first score.
Just six minutes later, and on the team's second shot of the day, senior Tertius Aucamp sent a laser from 25 yards out into the top right of the net, too fast and too far for the diving keeper to reach. With Hamidi credited for his second assist, the Spartans were quickly sitting at a two-score lead.
The Yellowjackets punched back, forcing a penalty kick in the 38th minute. Kaden Edwards took advantage, placing a shot past MBU keeper Sean Stone for GU's sole goal of the night.
The second period was highlighted by a stifling Missouri Baptist defense. While the attack produced just three shots, the back line faced six attempts from Graceland, allowing zero into the net. Stone's lone save came on a shot during the 70th minute. In the end, MBU would be outshot 15-7 by the Yellowjackets, but put one more attempt on goal.
The excitement of another consecutive victory, and one over a notable opponent, was palpable from the men's soccer team.
"I'm so happy for this win," freshman midfielder and one of three Men of the Match, Bojan Jovandic said. "We came to fight, and that is it, I am just so happy."
While the offense was clearly the catalyst for the victory, the entire unit earned helped to earn the win.
"Just a team effort today," said Aucamp, the second Man of the Match. "From the back to the front, really good from everyone. I think I will never score a goal like that again in my life. But yeah, I am just happy to help the team."
With that win, the squad has climbed to sixth in the Heart conference standings, moving closer to their goal of postseason success.
"We struggled a lot, especially during the second half," Hamidi, the final Man of the Match, expressed. "We get the occasion, we make it in the first half. That is a great feeling winning at home against a great team, taking advance on them and going up in the ranking of the conference."
As mentioned, the team has struggled recently to overcome the challenge of not playing to their standard. Tonight, the men reached that standard and above, a performance for all to be proud of.
"It was one of the goals we talked about," said Head Coach Roosevelt Peters. "'Can we start quicker, can we score first, can we score more than one in a half?' They came in and did their job. Graceland has created so many chances in the conference already, so we knew they would create something. Kudos to the guys on this one. Such a great performance. I'm so happy, on an emotional day. This one goes out to my brother who passed away this month, so, I am so happy for them."
With talks of conference standings being relevant, only one team left on MBU's schedule sits higher than the Spartans. That team is Missouri Valley University, currently at No. 3 in the Heart. Missouri Baptist Men's Soccer faces off with the Vikings on Tuesday, Oct. 20th in Marshall, Mo. at 7:30 p.m.
