Box Score

Clayton MO – The Spalding University Men's Soccer team dropped a tough 2-1 OT decision to Fontbonne University on Saturday, ending their hopes for a top-four conference finish. With the loss, the Golden Eagles fall to 9-9-0 overall on the year and 4-4-0 in the SLIAC.

Fontbonne capitalized on some poor defending from Spalding less than ten minutes into to the game to take a 1-0 lead. After failing to challenge on a punt from the FU goalkeeper, Josh Schulz won a header and played it to Zach Meyer who blasted a volley into the back of the. The Griffins would head into halftime with their 1-0 lead.

But just four minutes into the second half, Jackson Cantrell would level the score for Spalding. The freshman forward received a pass from Josh Reed and careened a 25-yard shot off the inside of the left post and into the side-netting. It was Cantrell's team-leading 12th goal of the season.

Despite seven shots a piece in the 2nd half, neither team was able to find the back of the net and the two teams would head into overtime with the scored tied at 1-1. Six minutes into the first overtime period, Fontbonne's Justin Williams would find the game-winner. After SU midfielder Stephen Hubert lost the ball in the Griffin's goal-box, a clearance and quick combination left Justin Williams 35-yards out from goal. The forward caught Spalding GK Logan Spencer out of position and blasted his shot into the back of the net for the sudden-death game-winner.

"Unfortunately, today's result summed up our play in conference this season," Head Coach Adam Boyer commented after the game. "We controlled possession, created great goal-scoring opportunities, but were unable to capitalize in the critical moments of the game. Our lack of concentration in individual instances proved to be our downfall," he continued.

"We have come a long way this season but will feel very disappointed having not qualified for the conference tournament. We need to rebound for our game on Saturday and take our frustrations out on MacMurray in our regular season finale," he finished.

Spalding and Fontbonne were level on shots at 14-14, while the Griffins held an 8-3 advantage in corner kicks. GK Logan Spencer suffered the loss in goal, making two saves on the afternoon.

Spalding will have Senior Day at home on Saturday when they host MacMurray College in their final SLIAC contest of the season. Kick-off is set for 1:00pm with the ceremony taking place in between the men's and women's games.