CREVE COEUR, Mo. – The Maryville men's soccer team is Great Lakes Valley Conference Champions once again, defeating the McKendree Bearcats 2-1 to become the first No. 5-seeded squad to capture the league trophy.
 
Julian Stoecker and Marcos Ayelo both scored in the second half of play to give the Saints the victory over the No. 3-seeded Bearcats.
 
Maryville has now won four GLVC titles, with head coach Adam Hall winning his first crown in just his second year as bench boss for the Saints. The triumph clinches the GLVC's automatic berth for the Saints into the 2025 NCAA Tournament.
 
 
Axton Anom, Samuel Hernandez, Leyson Losada and Stoecker were all named to the GLVC All-Tournament team for their efforts.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
After a scoreless first half that saw just five shots total, three for the Saints, all eyes turned to the second half of the championship bout. The Saints battled the stout defensive unit of the Bearcats, taking two quick shots, one in the 48th minute by Sebastian Weitlaner and one by Anom in the 51st.
 
The pressure eventually broke through for the Saints. In the 55th minute, a ball sent into the box from deep by Adrian Fuster Juretzki went untouched by Bearcat defenders, ricocheting perfectly off the post where Stoecker swooped in for the go-ahead.
 
McKendree, now facing a do or die scenario, went on the attack from there, living in Saints territory, blasting five shots before finding the equalizer in the 73rd minute of the contest with a bicycle kick that darted past Ausgrimur Vidisson in net.
 
As quickly as the game was tied, the Saints stormed back into the lead. A push downfield saw the senior Ayelo in the perfect place for a well-crossed ball by Tommy Barrell, hammering it into the back of the net with just ten minutes and 30 seconds left on the clock.
 
As the clock waned down, the Saints' defense held strong, fending off three shots in the final three minutes of play to capture the championship.
 
UP NEXT
With the title, the Saints now automatically have a spot in the NCAA tournament. They will find out their seeding via the NCAA Selection Show which will air Monday, Nov. 17^th at 6 p.m. CT.