Governors State University’s men’s soccer team secured a 3-1 victory over Missouri Baptist University in a thrilling matchup, fueled by an electric second-half comeback and a standout performance from forward Javier Losa. The win advances the Jaguars to the next NAIA National Championship opening round, where they will face William Penn University on Nov. 23 in Oskaloosa, Iowa.

the Jaguars fell behind when Missouri Baptist struck first with a goal in the 22nd minute, courtesy of Sergej Misic. Governors State struggled to find rhythm in the first half, but their defense held firm, keeping the deficit to one at halftime. 

The Jaguars responded emphatically in the second half, dramatically flipping the momentum. Raul Garcia delivered the equalizer in the 68th minute, assisted by a clever setup from Javier Losa. Just two minutes later, Losa turned finisher, converting a perfectly orchestrated play with assists from John Gonzalez and Andrea Croce to put Governors State ahead 2-1. Before Missouri Baptist could regroup, Losa struck again in the 71st minute, with Croce providing his second assist of the night, extending the lead to 3-1.

The match, however, had controversy. A physical altercation in the 77th minute escalated into a heated exchange, resulting in red cards for Missouri Baptist’s Jack Carney and Governors State’s Peter Sorich. The Jaguars maintained their composure despite the distractions, closing the game out with a disciplined defensive effort.

Governors State dominated the stat sheet, outshooting Missouri Baptist 15-9 and creating eight shots on goal compared to their opponent’s five. Losa’s two goals and one assist were pivotal, while Croce’s creativity and Gonzalez’s support further showcased the team’s depth and cohesion.

The Jaguars are looking to carry their momentum into the next round of the NAIA National Championship on Nov. 23. Kickoff is scheduled for 2 p.m. in Oskaloosa, Iowa and can be viewed here..