COLUMBIA, Mo. – Octavio Guzman recorded a pair of goal as Saint Louis FC took a 3-1 victory against the Swope Park Rangers in a preseason exhibition on Saturday afternoon at Columbia College.

Guzman opened the scoring in just the second minute when his free kick from distance beat SPR goalkeeper David Greczek and flew into the net. Swope Park twice came close to getting back on level terms through Mark Anthony Gonzalez, but on each occasion he was denied by Saint Louis goalkeeper Devala Gorrick.

The Rangers kept pushing, seeing Kharlton Belmar and Gonzalez narrowly miss the target in the 29th and 35th minutes, while six minutes before the break Sporting KC SuperDraft selection Colton Storm beat his man down the right and crossed for Nansel Selbol, but the 19-year-old’s effort was parried away for a corner.

Saint Louis doubled its advantage just before halftime as Guzman headed in from a cross to tally his second of the game and make the score 2-0 at the interval. 

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The Rangers opened the second half with purpose, and pulled a goal back through captain Christian Duke in the 54th minute. After a scramble in the penalty area, Duke poked the loose ball into the back of the net to halve the deficit.

Just seconds later, Saint Louis reopened its two-goal lead as Mats Bjurman fired into the corner from the top of the penalty area after a neatly-worked move.

The Rangers tried to get back into the game, and Lebo Moloto – making his first appearance for the Rangers since joining from the Pittsburgh Riverhounds – took aim from 25 yards in the 77th minute, only to see his effort saves.

Gonzalez had the final chance for SPR but his effort flashed wide in the 82nd minute as Saint Louis earned a positive result against the defending Western Conference champions.