UMSL senior Zach Druhe banged home a penalty kick in the 76th minute to lead the Tritons to a win over Maryville.

by Cedric Williams
Senior Editor

It was Senior Day at the Lou Fusz Soccer Club in Creve Coeur on Sunday. And the University of Missouri-St. Louis men’s soccer team celebrated the day before, during, and after its matchup with the No. 3-ranked Maryville Saints.

Before the game, graduating seniors Kyle Coleman, Zach Druhe, Masoud Hesabian, Anton Mukhin, and Max Wooten were honored for their years of contributing to the Tritons soccer program. During the game, UMSL played one of its best games of the season. And when it was over, the Tritons were all ready to party, thanks to a 2-1 win over the previously unbeaten Maryville club.

Druhe and Muhkin were key contributors in particular. A midfielder from Granite City, Druhe scored what proved to the game-winning goal on a penalty kick in the 76th minute to give UMSL a 2-0 lead. It was also his second goal of the season.

Muhkin, a fifth-year senior from Cottleville, then helped preserved that lead by making five key saves, including a diving stop late in the game that would’ve tied the score had it gone in.

Freshman forward Drew Schenk got the Tritons on the board and broke a scoreless tie, just after halftime, when he buried a shot in the 48th minute, following a nifty pass from teammate Omer Krdzic. It was Schenk’s first goal as a collegiate player.

Maryville turned up the pressure following Druhe’s goal, and scored just 90 seconds later. But that was all the Saints would get as the Tritons rose to the challenge of keeping the No. 3-ranked team in the country from mounting a comeback.

UMSL (6-2-2), which also defeated Great Lakes Valley Conference rival Missouri S&T on Friday, has now won five of its last six and moved into sole possession of third place in the GLVC standings. Maryville (7-1) suffered its first loss of the year and fell into second place behind the still-unbeaten University of Indianapolis, whom the Tritons will host in their final home game of the season on April 16.

UMSL’s next matchup will come Thursday evening, when it visits crosstown rival Lindenwood. Kickoff for that matchup is set for 7:30 p.m.