LEBANON, Ill. – The Maryville University men's soccer team clinched their first Great Lakes Valley Conference Regular Season Championship after tying 1-1 with McKendree University on Friday. After falling behind 1-0 in the first half, the Saints got the equalizer in the 82nd minute from Braden Johnson.
 
Maryville finishes their regular season with an 8-1-3 GLVC record (27 points) which put them out of reach for their first regular season crown in program history. Additionally, the tie put the 25th-ranked Saints at 9-4-3 heading into a home conference tournament match on Sunday, Oct. 30.
 
The Bearcats started quickly in the opening half with a goal at 8:21 from Jack Hynes. The goal would be McKendree's only shot attempt of the half as the Saints went on to outshoot them 12-1 forcing the home goalkeeper to make two saves.
 
David Korn's team continued to fire shots in the second half, getting off ten total while earning five corner kicks. Braden Johnson had a scoring chance at 69:05 but was denied by goalkeeper Matt King.
 
With time quickly running out on a comeback bid, the Saints set up a corner at 81:01 and sent it into the box. Johnson again with a scoring chance buried a header to tie the game at one with less than nine minutes remaining.
 
At 87:12, Victor DeGiorgio looked to score the go-ahead goal with a shot attempt from the middle of the box but missed just wide. After 90 minutes of play, the Saints and Bearcats ended in a 1-1 draw, giving the Saints their 27th point in conference play and the regular season title.
 
Next up for the men's soccer team is a home GLVC Quarterfinals contest on Sunday, Oct. 30 at 2 p.m.