Columbia, Mo. – This afternoon the Columbia College men's soccer team took on Missouri Baptist University in an AMC matchup. The Cougars picked up the 2-1 win over the Spartans and improve to 5-4 on the season and 4-0 in conference play. Columbia College got off to a slow start to the season but has picked it up as of late winning their last five games in a row while outscoring their opponents 23-3 in those contests.

The Spartans took the lead eleven minutes into the game when Rafael Rangel brought the ball down to the Columbia College end line and cut it back to the penalty spot where he found Gerardo Espinoza who slotted the ball in the back of the net for his third goal of the season. Espinoza nearly added a second goal just a few minutes later when he received a ball running down the sideline and cut it back before ripping a shot off the goal post. The Cougars were able to avoid going down 2-0 as Matija Ceraj slid across the box and cleared the ball out before the Spartan forward could get there.

Columbia College had several opportunities in the first half but were unable to beat the Spartan keeper. The best opportunity for the Cougars came with just under five minutes left to play in the half when Mitchell Conning played a cross to Dan Reilly in the middle of the box who volleyed the pass on goal. However, the Missouri Baptist keeper was in a great position and was able to make the save to hold onto the 1-0 lead heading into halftime. The Cougars outshot the Spartans 9-4 in the half and had four shots on target.

Columbia College came out of the halftime break applying heavy pressure to the Spartans back line. The Cougars were able to tie the game up 18 minutes into the second half when the ball bounced around the Spartans box and fell to the right foot of Edin Campara who calmly knocked the ball past the Spartans keeper for his fourth goal of the season.

After the goal, the Cougars continued to push the tempo. They were able to take the lead midway through the second half when Nic Powers ripped a shot from nearly 25 yards away into the top left corner of the goal to put the Cougars ahead 2-1. They were able to hold onto the lead for the rest of the game and solidify their victory.

Iain McTurk was in goal once again for the Cougars picking up his fifth win of the season. The senior goalkeeper recorded two saves in the match as he continues his streak of impressive performances between the pipes for Columbia College.

The Cougars are back in action on Wednesday, September 28^th when they travel to Park (Mo.) University to take on the Pirates in an AMC matchup. Game time is set for 7 p.m. in Parkville, Missouri.