UHSP held without a shot on goal in 5-0 loss to Spires

MARYLAND HEIGHTS, MO – In their home opener on Saturday afternoon, the University of Health Sciences and Pharmacy Men's Soccer team suffered a tough defeat, falling 5-0 to a relentless Saint Mary club. The Eutectics struggled to find any kind of offensive rhythm in the match as the visiting Spires dominated possession, dropping UHSP to 0-2 on the season.

Saint Mary wasted no time getting on the board, with forward Gustavo Freitas opening the scoring in just the 10th minute with the first of his two goals on the day. Isha Hughan set up each of USM's first two tallies as Daniel Castro scored just 2:37 later to double the Spires' lead. The Eutectics tried to regroup but struggled to contain Saint Mary's aggressive attack, which kept their backline under constant pressure. UHSP goalkeeper Wyatt Taylor made a valiant effort, recording five saves in the first half, but Saint Mary's relentless pressure held UHSP without a shot on target in the opening 45 minutes. The half ended with the Eutectics trailing 2-0 and struggling to build momentum.

Saint Mary's potent attack quickly quashed any hopes of a UHSP comeback. In the 52nd minute, Freitas struck again, latching onto a through ball before finishing his second of the contest, pushing the Spires' lead to 3-0. The UHSP defense was on their heels over extended stretches in the half forcing Taylor into some tough situations as he had to make a number of point-blank saves. Taylor gave way to Jack Wolfe in the 76^th minute. Saint Mary continued to press, and in the 79th minute, Camilo Sandoval finished a pass from Rylan Nowak on the first shot Wolfe faced, extending the scoreline to 4-0. The final tally came 1:49 later when Fabian Duarte scored off an assist from Jacob Mena sealing the 5-0 victory for the Spires. Saint Mary goalkeeper Angel Jacinto was never tested in the match securing a clean sheet as UHSP never registered a shot on goal. Saint Mary outshot UHSP 30-5, with 14 of the Spires' shots being on goal.

UHSP (0-2) will look to bounce back in their next match on Wednesday when they play host to Evangel at 7:00p in what will be game two of a four-game home stretch.