ST. LOUIS - The Missouri Baptist University men's soccer team claimed its first victory of the season over Governors State University on Saturday, Sept. 5 at Spartan Field. The 3-0 win was led by head coach Roosevelt Peters, marking the first of his career as a Spartan.
"I'm grateful to God for the first victory. It's good motivation for the boys," Peters said. "But not satisfied and could be better. I think we started too slow in the first half."
Sophomore left wing Adel Smajlovic earned the Man of the Match award after a two-shot, one-goal performance. The score came from a penalty kick in the 45th minute, ending a dry spell on both sides and putting the Spartans ahead 1-0.
"First dub at home playing an NAIA team and it feels good," Smajlovic said. "Clean sheet as well. They didn't have a single shot on us."
Smajlovic's goal ignited a series of offensive attacks, allowing the Spartans to maintain control for the remainder of the match.
Noham Hamidi, a sophomore left/right wing, delivered the second goal of the night on a penalty kick in the 57th minute. Javar Harris, a junior midfielder, added the third off an assist from Iker Alvarez, a freshman striker.
By the end of regulation, the Spartans recorded 20 shots, including three attempts from Alvarez and four from Bojan Jovandic, a freshman attacking midfielder. The Jaguars managed just three.
The MBU men's soccer team will look to extend its 1-0-1 record on Wednesday, Sept. 9, against Friends University at 11 a.m. on Spartan Field.
