ST. LOUIS – In a battle between two determined defenses, Missouri Baptist Men's Soccer finished on top in a much-needed victory over No. 13 Benedictine College.
The entirety of the contest was legitimately controlled by each team's defense. The biggest indicator comes in the form of each goalkeeper's box score numbers, with Sean Stone saving just one shot, while the Ravens' Noah Reuscher saved none. Each backline was preventing any opportunities for their opposition. Almost every Spartan shot attempt was deflected off of a BC defender before making it anywhere near the goal.
The first half saw just three shot attempts from the Ravens, none of which came after the 15th minute. Missouri Baptist had six attempts throughout the period but were unsuccessful on each.
The second half was much more of a back-and-forth affair for the competitive squads. The breaking point came with less than 10 minutes to play, when Man of the Match, Emillio Brian Okello, sent a long ball from Spartan territory across to the Ravens' side, the ball falling directly into stride with Eroy Gonsalves. Gonsalves, who beat the defense into the box, was taken out by the keeper, earning a penalty kick for his team. The man whose number often gets called in these situations, Adel Smajlovic, stepped up and delivered once again, placing his shot into the bottom left corner for the only score of the match.
The MBU defense would remain stiff for the final minutes of play, allowing zero attempts for an equalizer from Benedictine.
"It has been a while since we got a win," said Okello. "I feel really grateful for this opportunity. I also feel grateful for the whole team for doing their best and getting the win, and am so happy for that."
After beginning the season 3-0-3, the men's soccer squad had lost three in a row against tough competition. Today's victory put them back on track.
"I'm grateful. Everything first is God's glory," said Head Coach Roosevelt Peters. "I am very ecstatic. I knew we could do it; we have just had a rough time. I think we are learning that we can find that edge again. I'm happy that, even with so many injuries, we found a way today, and that is what's important, finding a way to win."
Missouri Baptist Men's Soccer will look to carry this momentum on Wednesday, Oct. 7th against William Woods University at 7 p.m. on Spartan Field.
