Spires Fall to Eagles in First Round of NAIA Tournament

Columbia, Mo.- The University of Saint Mary Men's soccer team played the Central Methodist Eagles in the opening round of the NAIA National Championship Tournament on Thursday, resulting in an 8-0 loss.

The game started fast for the Eagles as they scored within the first ten minutes to make the score 1-0. Just eleven minutes later, Central Methodist again found the back of the net to take a 2-0 lead. A shot by Shemari Hibbert, paired with a corner kick by Paul Trejo, gave Saint Mary a chance to get on the board, but they could not capitalize. The Eagles scored again with fifteen minutes left in the half to give them the 3-0 lead.

The second half started much like the first as the Eagles scored right out of the gate, taking a comfortable 4-0 lead. Saint Mary had more chances to get on the board with shots by Jan Stachura and Homero Gonzalez, but they never found the back of the net. Another goal by Central Methodist gave the Eagles all they needed to cruise the rest of the game. Three more late-minute scores made the final score 8-0 as the clock ran out on the Spires.

Saint Mary wrapped up the season with an overall record of 13-5-3 which was one of the best seasons in school history.