ST. LOUIS – A hard-fought battle on a hot day at Spartan Field brought Missouri Baptist Women's Soccer even with conference foe Grand View after 90 minutes.
While the Spartans' offense has been off to a slower start this season, the squad was prepared to put pressure on the Viking defense from the first kick. MBU had a corner kick by Gracie Black in the seventh minute and shot attempt by Addisyn Sopczak in the 14th.
Despite the pressure, it would be Grand View that struck first on a Valeria Gonzalez goal in the 35th minute.
The Vikings would seemingly enter the half with a 1-0 lead, but the Spartans and young attacker Gracie Beckemeier had other plans. As the clock winded down from just 10 seconds, Missouri Baptist pushed the ball forward down the field, finding the foot of Beckemeier. The freshman zipped past the remaining Grand View defense into a one-on-one matchup with the goalkeeper. Beckemeier, the only Spartan goal scorer this season, found the back of the net for the second time in her career with just one second left in the period.
Neither team would break through in the second half, experiencing the weight of fatigue from an evening sun and thick heat. Goalkeeper Jordyn Maryas was essential in keeping the score even, highlighted by a diving save off an excellent opportunity for Grand View. The senior would finish her night with a stellar six saves.
"A game we needed to play, and an improved performance with it," Head Coach Deno Merrick said about the draw. "We showed spirit to come back from losing position. The full three points were the goal. I think both teams deserved a point at the end of it."
The points in reference indicate standings in the Heart of America Athletic Conference, earning three for each win and one for a tie. MBU Women's Soccer garnered their first point of the season with tonight's draw.
The squad will look to add to that total in Oskaloosa, Iowa against William Penn University on Sept. 22nd at 7:30 p.m.
