Leavenworth, Kan.— Mario Santoro scored the go-ahead goal one minute into the second half as the University of Saint Mary (4-5-2) rallied for a 4-1 homecoming victory over Kansas Wesleyan (6-5-0) on Saturday, Oct. 3, in Leavenworth, Kansas. Santoro finished with two goals and an assist, helping the Spires turn an early deficit into a three-goal win.

Kansas Wesleyan struck first when Manuel Lozada Leon scored unassisted at 2:30. Xavier Ezell kept USM within a goal with saves at 8:33 and 9:03, while Rylan Nowak hit the crossbar at 21:42 as the Spires pursued an equalizer. Santoro broke through at 39:33 on an assist from Alfie Scandle. Ezell added another save at 42:06 to preserve the 1-1 halftime score.

The Spires needed just a minute after the break to take the lead. Jude Rodwell assisted Santoro's second goal at 46:00, giving the Spires a 2-1 advantage. Ezell then protected that narrow margin with stops at 55:00 and 55:18, followed by another save at 68:20. The goalkeeper finished with seven saves across 90 minutes, including four in the second half.

Luis Rincon extended the lead to 3-1 at 68:49, converting Saint Mary's next goal on Santoro's assist. Kansas Wesleyan continued to threaten, with Munoz Sainz hitting the crossbar at 70:24, but the Spires did not concede again. Joel Herrera completed the scoring with an unassisted goal at 87:01, capping USM's three-goal second half.

Santoro led the Spires with five shots, including three on goal, while Herrera and Nowak each attempted three shots. USM outshot Kansas Wesleyan 16-10 and generated 10 attempts after halftime. The Coyotes held an 8-7 edge in shots on goal, and each team earned five corner kicks.
 
Coming Up…

The Spire men look to continue the hot streak in Lindsborg, Kansas after a short break. USM will face off against the Swedes on Saturday, October 10^th at 7:30 p.m. in Coach Ted Kessinger Family Stadium.