ST. LOUIS, Mo. – This afternoon the Harris-Stowe State University men's soccer team took the field for the first time this season as they played host to the Avila (Mo.) University Eagles in a nonconference matchup. The Hornets were able to defeat the Eagles by a final score of 2-0 to improve to 1-0 on the season.

The Hornets came out in the first half of the game and controlled the possession from the start. They created several scoring chances early in the game but were unable to capitalize until the 15^th minute. Anthony Medina had the goal for the Hornets as Ricardo Benini played a ball out of the back to Allessandro Urlati who slipped the ball to Medina for his first goal of the season. The Hornets continued to push the tempo and earned a penalty kick with seven minutes remaining in the period. Damani Henderson's penalty was saved but Victor Diaz Aguilar was there to finish off the rebound and make the score 2-0. The Eagles did their best to get back into the game before the half but the score remained 2-0 at the break.

Harris-Stowe continued to control the tempo in the second half of the contest and kept the possession on the Eagles side of the half for most of the period. They created dangerous scoring chances but could not find the back of the net as the Eagles keeper kept them from growing their lead. The Hornets defense stood strong as the game progressed and they held off the Eagles to solidify the shutout win.

Nicholas Morales (1-0) was in goal for the Hornets as he finished with one save in his first solo shutout of the season.

The men's soccer team will return to the field on Tuesday, August 24^th when they travel to St. Louis Soccer Park to take on the Webster (Mo.) University Gorloks in an exhibition match. The game is set to kick off at 7 p.m.