The MBU men's soccer team came shy of picking up its first conference win of the season last week, but managed to get a win over local rival Lindenwood.

The Spartans opened play last week with a 1-0 win over Lindenwood University at the Chesterfield Valley Athletic Complex on Monday. MBU sophomore Karl Russell (Ireland) found the back of the net for the Spartans. Junior goalkeeper Ger Coppinger (Ireland) recorded five saves for the shutout.

The Spartans were scheduled to play Principia College on Thursday, but that contest was canceled. They traveled to American Midwest Conference opponent Park University (Kansas City, Mo.) on Saturday. MBU battled into overtime, but picked up a 2-1 loss to the Pirates. The Pirates improved to 3-2 in the AMC. MBU junior Ryan Harris (Alton, Ill./Lewis & Clark CC) scored the team's only goal. Coppinger recorded three saves.

The Spartans are now 5-8 overall, 0-4 in the AMC. They travel to Walnut Ridge, Arkansas on Tuesday, October 20th for an AMC match-up against Williams Baptist College (1-8 overall, 0-2 AMC).