Athletics Headlines: Men's Soccer Upsets Top Team in the Country

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September 14, 2005

Men's Soccer Upsets Top Team in the Country

Missouri Baptist University shocked the NAIA soccer world last night when they did the unthinkable. The Spartans, 1-2 going into the game, went onto the defending 2004 National Champions field, Lindenwood University, and pulled out a 1-0 victory. Lindenwood is currently ranked number one in the National NAIA polls.

MBU senior midfielder Felipe Alvarez scored the game winning goal 20 minutes into the game with a shot from 25 yards out. MBU had a chance in the 30th minute to double their lead, but the shot sailed wide of the post. Lindenwood came close to knotting the score when LU junior forward Ignacio Novas freed himself in the box, but put his shot wide right.

The final 20 minutes of the game was all Lindenwood as they pushed to tie the score. MBU kept battling and defending and would not give the Lions any clear chances. Lindenwood’s best chance to tie the game was with eight minutes left when the LU offense got loose in the box again. MBU freshman defender Kegan Mills made a great sliding tackle to safe the day for the Spartans. MBU played the closing minutes of the game defending cross kicks and free kicks. Spartan freshman goalie Juan Villacres was outstanding all night on crosses and free kicks and recorded his first career shutout.

“I am extremely proud of our guys” stated MBU Head Coach, Jared Embick. “The coaching staff has been challenging our guys to step up and play with more passion and courage and tonight they did that. I thought our two seniors Josh Lydon and Felipe Alvarez were outstanding. I feel great for the guys, especially our seniors. This was more to the standard we can perform at. Now we have to realize it is only our fourth game of the season and nothing was won with this and we got to keep improving. If we can do that we have a chance for a special season.”

Lindenwood out shot MBU 10-9. MBU improves to 2-2 and will travel to Rochester, New York for a tough road trip this weekend. The Spartans are 2-2 on the season.