Maryville University Athletics

UNIVERSITY CENTER, Mich. – Maryville men's soccer opened NCAA Tournament play with a 3-1 victory over Drury on Friday at Robert Braddock Field, sending the seventh-seeded Saints into the second round.
 
Jan Fulnek, Stan Valentine and Yayo Mutombo each scored against the 10th-seeded Panthers, while Alex Smeins supplied two assists. Mutombo's goal in the 87th minute restored a two-goal cushion after Drury cut the deficit to one late in the second half.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
Maryville tested the Drury goalkeeper early, with Mutombo putting a shot on target in the fourth minute. Axton Anom added another attempt on goal in the 37th minute before the Saints broke through late in the opening half.
 
Following consecutive blocked shots and a Maryville corner kick, Fulnek scored off an assist from Smeins at 40:25, heading the ball home. His third goal of the season gave the Saints a 1-0 lead heading into halftime.
 
Asgrimur Vidisson made his first save early in the second half, keeping Maryville in front. The Saints doubled their advantage in the 60th minute when Valentine finished off assists from Anom and Smeins for his second goal of the season.
 
Vidisson added another stop in the 77th minute, but Drury found the net at 77:40 to trim Maryville's lead to 2-1.
 
The Panthers sent their next two shots off target before Mutombo provided the Saints with insurance. After having an attempt saved in the 86th minute, he scored off a Jose Vilela assist at 86:54 to secure the 3-1 victory.
 
Maryville finished with a 12-9 advantage in shots, including a 7-3 edge in shots on goal. Vidisson recorded two saves as the Saints improved to 12-4-4.
 
UP NEXT
The Saints face second-seeded Saginaw Valley State in the second round of the NCAA Tournament on Sunday, Nov. 15, at noon.