ST. LOUIS – Missouri Baptist University men's soccer traveled down the road to face NCAA Division II opponent University of Missouri-St. Louis for their season opener.
The Tritons dominated possession early into the contest, resulting in a barrage of shot attempts at Spartan keeper Sean Stone. In just the second minute, Stone already notched his first save.
Moreover, UMSL had four corner kicks to MBU's one in the first half, a testament to the pressure put on the Spartans' defense. However, a strong team effort would result in a scoreless affair entering the break.
After the half, the match appeared to be following a similar script, seeing two Triton shot attempts in just three minutes. The strain on the Missouri Baptist backline became too much, and UMSL's Benjamin Ocampo was able to strike first in the 58th minute off the long cross from Melo Mensah.
One might have thought a goal for the Tritons would break open the match, but it was rather the opposite. The Spartans used the deficit as fuel; the losing situation became just enough to jump-start the attack. As if it had been all game long, MBU was sending shot after shot at the UMSL keeper and forcing corner kicks alike.
As it was for their own defense, the pressure Missouri Baptist was putting on the Tritons was enough to break through. Fred Dilly was the initiator, slicing his way into the box, forcing the goalie to make a decision. On his right was Iker Alvarez, waiting for his opportunity. A quick pass from Dilly to his fellow forward, and Alvarez was able to tap the ball into the back of the net, scoring what would be the final goal of the match and the first of the new season for the Spartans.
Each team had attempted to regain the lead in the remaining minutes, but neither could fully accomplish such a mission, resulting in a 1-1 tie.
"I am grateful to God and very proud of the team," Head Coach Roosevelt Peters said after his first game leading the program. "It was a disciplined performance against a well-organized GLVC DII team. We struggled in moments to attack with fluidity but our reaction after going down was amazing. We had a great impact from our game changers. We will regroup and fix our eyes on NAIA opposition and Governors State."
Missouri Baptist men's soccer opens their home schedule with a non-conference matchup against Governors State University on Saturday, Sept. 5 at 2 p.m.
