Blue Jays soccer team qualifies again for Division III tourney

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - The Westminster College Blue Jays soccer team rallied to ensure its return to the national playoffs.

No. 2 seed Westminster scored two goals in the final 22 minutes to topple No. 1 Spalding University 3-2 in the championship of the St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference postseason tournament Saturday.

The victory was the seventh straight for the Blue Jays, who earned the SLIAC's automatic bid to the NCAA Division III national tournament for the third year in a row. Westminster - which is 10-1-1 in its last 12 matches - is now 14-3-1 on the season.

Senior forward Drew Cook scored off an assist from senior midfielder David Immanuel in the 68th minute Saturday as the Blue Jays pulled even at 2-all. Junior midfielder Daniel Barone then supplied what proved to be the game-winner for Westminster with an unassisted goal in the 84th minute.

Spalding (12-7) took the early lead with a goal in the 6th minute, but the Blue Jays tied the match when senior midfielder Kyle Collins scored off an Immanuel assist in the 15th minute. The Golden Eagles then took a 2-1 edge with a goal in the 64th minute, before Cook tied it again 4 minutes later.

Westminster outshot Spalding 17-8, including 9-3 in shots on goal, and had a decisive 8-1 advantage in corner kicks.

The Blue Jays made it to the title match after a dramatic 2-1 overtime win over No. 3 seed Fontbonne University on Thursday night in Fulton. Junior midfielder Dustin Seibolt logged the triumphant goal off an assist from senior forward Drake Trease in the 99th minute.

Senior forward Peter Gerber put Westminster on top when he scored off Barone's assist in the 41st minute, but the Griffins forced the extra period with a tying goal in the 88th minute.

The Blue Jays owned a 20-7 edge in overall shots, including 7-3 in shots on goal, and a 7-2 advantage in corner kicks.