Wild finish, but Bearcats hold off Eutectics

ST. LOUIS, MO – In their first-ever meeting, the Bearcats of Southwest Baptist defeated UHSP by a score of 2-1. A lone late goal by the Eutectics' Keegan Croft set up a frantic final five minutes as each team had odd-man chances on the offensive end. The defeat sent UHSP to their third straight loss.

GAME HIGHLIGHTS:

SOUTHWEST BAPTIST 2, UHSP 1

• With 18:30 left in a scoreless first half, UHSP's Rodrigo Melo banged a free kick off the crossbar from 30-yards out.
• The Bearcats broke through with just over five minutes remaining in the half as Zinedine Cherik delivered a cross from the left-edge of the 18-yard box to the opposite far post and Piotr Rapczynksi buried his second goal of the season. SBU took a 1-0 lead to the half.
• SBU would score a similar goal early in the second half, this one off a free kick as Alton, IL product Myles Paniagua scored his second of the season. Iker Lorenzo delivered the ball from a wide angle just outside the 18-yard box and Paniagua finished from a crowd near the far post to make it 2-0.
• With just over 11 minutes to go, UHSP played a deep ball down the right flank. Mohammed Alkenani did a good job to keep it just inside the end line and centered one that Keegan Croft rifled past SBU keeper Jan-Henry Schafer to make it 2-1. It was the first goal and first assist for Croft and Alkenani.
• UHSP missed a chance to tie it with a free kick with just 3:23 left. Rodrigo Melo's free kick was blocked by the wall ten yards ahead of him.
• Christian Morales was incredible in net for UHSP making a number of point-blank saves. He finished with eight total saves on the night.
• Jan-Henry Schafer allowed one goal and made one save on the night.
• The Bearcats outshot the Eutectics 24-3.

NEXT UP:

The Eutectics (1-5) return to action on Sunday when they visit Illinois College (2-1-1) at 1:30p. The Blueboys are coming off a 7-0 shutout of Principia on Tuesday and host Webster on Saturday before the Eutectics come to town. UHSP is 0-3 all-time against Illinois College having lost to the Blueboys each of the last three seasons.