Greenville, IL, 11/2/21 – The Blue Jay men's soccer team was living on borrowed time on Tuesday night. A victory on the road in their last game of the regular season coupled with a Principia loss to Webster put the Blue Jays into the SLIAC Conference Tournament as the six seed. They traveled to second seeded Greenville University on Tuesday night to play in the SLIAC Tournament Quarterfinals in hopes of extending their season to the semifinals. Greenville used a goal in each half to end the Blue Jays season in a 2-0 victory to advance to the SLIAC Tournament Semifinals. The loss ends the Blue Jays season at 4-13-2 and 4-9-1 in the SLIAC.
The Panthers would strike for goals in the 21st minute and the 50th minute for the 2-0 final score. The Panthers outshot the Blue Jays 18-11 overall and 7-2 in shots on goal. The Panthers were awarded six corner kicks to the Blue Jays three. The Blue Jays were whistled for 18 fouls to the Panthers 14. Conner Benefield (Wentzville, MO / Timberland) went the distance in goal for the Blue Jays facing seven shots and making five saves.
The loss saw the careers of five seniors; Andrew Sprengel (Winfield, MO / Winfield), Barrett Smith (Columbia, MO / Rock Bridge), Joe Wilder (Jefferson City, MO / Jefferson City), David Wilder (Jefferson City, MO / Jefferson City), Michael Ellinger (Chesterfield, Mo. / Parkway Central) and Brantley Estes (Glasgow, KY / Glasgow) come to a close. They will be missed.
A young group of talented returners will look to next season to return to the top of the conference.
