ST. LOUIS – An early deficit gave way to a second-half takeover Saturday afternoon as the Maryville men's soccer team scored four unanswered goals to defeat Illinois Springfield 4-1.

Enzo Manga Mbassa brought the Saints level before halftime, and Stan Valentine delivered the go-ahead goal less than three minutes into the second half. Petter Hanssen and Paulo Junior Sousa Rodrigues added insurance as Maryville outshot the Prairie Stars 13-0 over the final 45 minutes.

The Saints improved to 9-3-2 overall and 7-1-2 in GLVC play. Manga Mbassa and Valentine each scored their first goal of the season, while Asgrimur Vidisson finished with two saves.

HOW IT HAPPENED
Jan Fulnek supplied Maryville's first attempt in the second minute, sending a shot wide right. The Saints threatened again in the 18th and 19th minutes, with Yayo Mutombo and Jose Vilela combining for four shots, three of which forced saves.

Illinois Springfield answered with pressure of its own, eventually breaking through in the 29th minute. Vidisson made two saves during the sequence, but the Prairie Stars found the net to take a 1-0 lead.

Maryville turned to its bench following the goal, and Manga Mbassa provided the response. With Julian Stoecker supplying the assist, Manga Mbassa scored in the 41st minute to erase the deficit.

The Saints kept pushing before the break, forcing saves on another Manga Mbassa attempt and a Henry Atkinson shot to enter halftime with an 11-10 edge in shots.

Maryville wasted little time taking control after the restart. Jacob Lusignan put a shot on target at 47:33, and Valentine scored three seconds later to give the Saints their first lead of the afternoon.

Atkinson kept the pressure on with consecutive attempts in the 64th minute, followed by a Hanssen shot on goal in the 65th. Hanssen broke through in the 67th minute, finishing off an assist from Mutombo for his fourth goal of the season and a 3-1 Maryville advantage.

The Saints' defense shut down any chance of a response, holding Illinois Springfield without a shot throughout the second half. Sousa Rodrigues capped the comeback in the 90th minute with his second goal of the season.

Maryville finished with a 24-10 advantage in shots and a 13-3 edge in shots on goal. Hanssen and Mutombo led the Saints with five attempts apiece, while Maryville earned all four corner kicks in the match.

UP NEXT
The Saints welcome in Lincoln for their second to last home match, Wednesday, Oct. 14.