SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – No. 22 Drury men's soccer shut out rival Southwest Baptist 2-0 in Great Lakes Valley Conference (GLVC) action Wednesday night at Lake Country Soccer Complex, moving one victory away from securing the program's first GLVC regular-season title.
Lui Bull got the Panthers going early, forcing a save from Southwest Baptist goalkeeper Jan-Henry Schäfer in the fifth minute.
Cameron Chamberlain followed with another chance in the ninth minute but was also turned away by Schäfer. The Bearcats responded seconds later with a shot that missed the target. Drury continued to apply pressure and finally broke through in the 23rd minute, as
Ignacio Fojo found
David Huang, who tapped home the opening goal off a cross.
The Panthers kept their foot on the gas, earning a penalty kick following a foul in the box in the 29th minute.
Caua Nascimento stepped up to take the shot but missed his first attempt. Nascimento was given another opportunity and buried the second attempt to double Drury's advantage. Southwest Baptist responded with several chances late in the half, forcing
Ben Barnett into a save in the 41st minute. The Panthers held firm through the closing minutes to take a 2-0 lead into halftime.
Bull opened the second half with another scoring opportunity but was once again denied by Schäfer.
Steen Voller followed with a chance in the 67th minute, forcing another save from the Bearcats' goalkeeper. Southwest Baptist continued to push for a way back into the match, but Barnett came up with saves in the 79th and 85th minutes to preserve the shutout. The Panthers held off the Bearcats down the stretch to secure the 2-0 victory.
HIGHLIGHTS
- No. 22 Drury improved to 11-2-3 overall and 9-1-3 in GLVC play.
- The Panthers' 11 overall victories and nine conference wins are both the most under head coach Ben Taylor.
- Drury extended its unbeaten streak to six matches (4-0-2), including a six-match unbeaten streak at Lake Country (3-0-3).
- The Panthers improved to 14-0 all-time against Southwest Baptist, including an 8-0 mark at home.
- David Huang and Caua Nascimento each scored their fifth goal of the season.
- Ignacio Fojo recorded his first assist of the season.
- Ben Barnett recorded three saves, bringing his season total to 33.
- Barnett moved into a tie for third in program history with eight single-season shutouts, while his 0.54 goals-against average currently ranks second.
- Barnett's eight shutouts lead the GLVC.
- The Panthers have allowed one goal or fewer in 14 of their 16 matches this season.
GLVC PICTURE
- With Wednesday's victory over Southwest Baptist, Drury moved to 30 points in the GLVC standings.
- The Panthers are one victory away from securing their first GLVC regular-season title and the No. 1 seed in the conference tournament.
- Drury closes the regular season against Lincoln on Saturday, while the Blue Tigers have two matches remaining.
- The Panthers have already secured a top-four seed and will host a GLVC Tournament quarterfinal match Saturday, Oct. 31.
- With the middle of the GLVC standings tightly contested, Drury will have to wait until regular-season play concludes Tuesday, Oct. 27, to learn its quarterfinal opponent.
UP NEXT
No. 22 Drury closes the regular season against No. 10/11 Lincoln on Saturday, Oct. 24, at Lake Country Soccer Complex.
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