Maryville University Athletics

ST. LOUIS – With just eight seconds remaining before halftime, Enzo Manga Mbassa delivered the only goal the Maryville men's soccer team needed to defeat William Jewell 1-0 on Senior day at Lonnie Folks Field. It was not the lone low clock heroics as with just seconds left in the game, Asgrimur Vidisson saved what would have been the game-tying goal in the 90th minute.
 
Manga Mbassa's second goal of the season broke a scoreless battle, while the Saints held off a late push by the Cardinals to secure their final home game heading into conference play.
 
Vidisson finished with three saves to help preserve the clean sheet, his second this week. Maryville finished with a 14-11 advantage in shots and a 4-1 edge in corner kicks.
 
Before the game, the Saints honored their seniors in Pedro Meidanis, Jan Fulnek, Julian Stoecker, Axton Anom, Leyson Losada, Yayo Mutumbo and Kameron Kail.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
Alex Smeins registered Maryville's first attempt in the fifth minute, but the Cardinals blocked his try. William Jewell responded with a pair of shots in the eighth minute, with the Saints recording a team save to keep the match scoreless.
 
Vidisson made his first save in the 11th minute before Maryville began building its attack. Kameron Kail had an attempt blocked in the 19th minute, while Smeins sent two more tries off target over the next nine minutes.
 
The Saints increased the pressure as halftime approached, putting shots by Petter Hanssen and Stan Valentine on frame. Manga Mbassa finally broke through at 44:52, scoring unassisted to send Maryville into the break with a 1-0 lead.
 
Maryville continued searching for an insurance goal in the second half. Axton Anom missed left following an early corner kick, and Yayo Mutombo sent another attempt wide in the 57th minute.
 
Valentine had a shot blocked in the 65th minute before Smeins and Mutombo each sent attempts high. Smeins finished with a team-leading four shots.
 
William Jewell pushed for an equalizer down the stretch, recording five of its six second-half shots over the final 11 minutes. After a blocked attempt and a corner kick, Vidisson turned away a shot in the 86th minute to protect the advantage.
 
The Cardinals managed one final attempt at 89:59, but Vidisson made the save to finish off the shutout.
 
UP NEXT
The Saints are GLVC Tournament bound and it will come to Lonnie Folks Field. Maryville does not yet know who they will host, with the remaining games in the GLVC yet to be finished. Make sure to visit MaryvilleSaints.com to see updates.