STERLING, Kan. – The William Woods University Men's Soccer team kicked off the season with the right foot as they defeated Sterling College, 1-0, on Friday evening.
 
With the win, WWU collected its first season opening win since the 2014 season. The Owls outshot the Warriors 10-5 on the game and registered four shots on goal to Sterling's one shot.
 
The Owls return to action tomorrow at 2 p.m. when they play at Lindsborg, Kan. against Bethany College.
 
Game Flow
In a physical match from the start, the Owls and Warriors were locked in a battle. Each team was called for a couple fouls seven minutes into the contest. Sterling recorded the first shot of the contest as Adriano Marques shot sailed high.
 
A few minutes later, Matheus Schmid collected the first shot on goal of the Owls but Julio Chavez recorded the save. Anthony Moscatello fired a shot on goal but Chavez again recorded the save.
 
The Owls continued to have its chances but the shots were going wide and high on goal. After the first 45 minutes of action the game went into halftime scoreless.
 
WWU got onto the scoreboard early in the second half. After Colton Oord was called for a foul in the box, Rodrigo Alves took the penalty kick. Alves beat Chavez putting the Owls ahead 1-0.
 
After the goal, William Woods continued to stand strong on the defensive end as they did not allow the Warriors a shot on goal until there was 12 minutes' left in the second half. Miguel Romero took the shot on goal but Conor Cable came up with the save.
 
Late in the second half, the Owls looked to extend its lead when Lendell Louis-Jacques fired a shot on goal but Chavez recorded the save. After Louis-Jacques shot both teams did not allow a shot and the Owls came away with the 1-0 victory over Sterling.
 
By The Numbers
10 – The Owls recorded 10 shots in the contest
4 – Four of the Owls shots were on goal
1 – The Owls Rodrigo Alves scored the lone goal in the game
2 – WWU had two corner kicks to Sterling's five
1 – The Owls collected its first win of the 2016 season