FULTON, Mo. – The William Woods University men's soccer team suffered its first loss since September 1st when Missouri Baptist University defeated the Owls, 4-3, in the American Midwest Conference Quarterfinals on Saturday afternoon at Firley Field.
 
The Owls scored the first three goals of the contest before the Spartans answered back with four goals in the second half to defeat the top seed in the AMC Tournament. WWU outshot the Spartans 21-12 in the contest. Matheus Schmid, Rodrigo Alves and Zachary Baliva had goals for WWU
 
William Woods now waits to see where they will go in the NAIA Men's Soccer Opening Round contest. Qualifiers for the NAIA National Championship will be released November 13th.
 
Game Flow
The Owls wasted little time getting on the scoreboard against the Spartans. Less than five minutes into the game, Victor Faure found Matheus Schmid putting the Owls ahead, 1-0. WWU continued to pressure the Spartans and Samuel Whittington recorded saves.
 
WWU grew the lead to 2-0 with 27:48 to go in the first half when Anthony Moscatello had the ball on the fair right side of the box and sent a cross into the middle of the field where Rodrigo Alves was. Alves connected and the ball and beat Whittington putting WWU ahead, 2-0.
 
Late in the first half, Joshua Noel sent a ball into the box and Zachary Baliva was standing at the back post of the goal and headed home the Owls third goal of the half.
 
Missouri Baptist had one shot on goal in the first half by Chase Droege but Conor Cable made the save and the Owls led 3-0 at halftime.
 
The Spartans cut into the Owls lead early in the second half as WWU was called for a foul in the box and the Spartans had a penalty kick. Eduardo Menades-Maia took the kick and scored putting the Spartans down 3-1.
 
WWU continued to pressure the Spartans defense but Missouri Baptist came up big on three different opportunities the Owls head. Twelve minutes later, Missouri Baptist scored its second goal of the game trimming the Owls lead to one, 3-2.
 
The Spartans were not done scoring as Mendes-Maia was again taken down in the box and had another penalty kick opportunity. He scored again tying the game at 3-3 with 21:06 left in the contest. Five minutes later, the Spartans took its first lead of the contest when Benjamin Boyd scored the game-winning-goal for the Spartans.
 
William Woods continued attacking and WWU's by Faure and Alves were saved by Whittington and the Owls were defeated by Missouri Baptist, 4-3, in the AMC Quarterfinals.  
 
By the Numbers
21 – WWU had 21 shots in the contest
3 – William Woods scored three goals in the loss
12 – The Owls had 12 shots on goal in the contest
1 – Matheus Schmid, Rodrigo Alves and Zachary Baliva scored one goal in the contest
8 – WWU had eight corner kicks in the match
1 – Victor Faure, Anthony Moscatello and Joshua Noel added an assist each in the match