BUENA VISTA, Virginia - The Virginia Wesleyan University men's soccer team fell in their season opener 3-2 to the Knights of Southern Virginia University on Saturday afternoon in Buena Vista, VA. The Marlins move to 0-1-0 while the Knights are 1-2-0.

GAME INFORMATION
The Marlins had an early opportunity to score on a corner kick in the fourth minute of action (4:39) but an offsides call against VWU nullified the Alex Moody header and the teams played on. Four minutes later in the eighth minute of play, sophomore Jaron Berry scored off a pass forward from the midfield giving Virginia Wesleyan a 1-0 lead with 36 minutes (8:02) remaining in the half. The Knights knotted the score at one all three minutes later (11:49) when Landon Shelton corralled a pass and shot the ball past the VWU keeper.

Neither team managed to find the back of the net for over 20 minutes, but the Marlins again took the lead, 2-1 (34:37), following a goal from Kevin Prophet who scored off the long ball pass from Evan Kastetter who sent the ball upfield from the midfield line. The Knights didn't take long to respond as SVU tied the score for a second time on a goal by Ammon Lewis and sent the teams into the half in a draw.

The Knights came out of the break and broke the deadlock eight minutes into the return to action. SVU's Sam Melo received a pass from the right side of the field and sent it into the right side of the net past Zavian Dorah who assumed the role of VWU keeper in the second half. The Marlins had three corner kick opportunities the remainder of the match but could not find the equalizing goal as the Knights went on to win 3-2.
 
VIRGINIA WESLEYAN LEADERS
The Marlins were led by Jaron Berry and Kevin Prophet with a goal apiece. Berry led all Marlins with two shots on the evening. Josh Reid (0-1-0) made one save while giving up two goals in 45 minutes of action. Zavian Dorah matches Reid with one save while allowing one goal in the second 45 minutes of play.

SOUTHERN VIRGINIA LEADERS
The Knights were led by Sam Melo and Ammon Lewis with two shots apiece as well as one goal each. Landon Shelton joined Melo and Lewis with a solo goal as well.
 
UP NEXT
The Marlins return to action on next Sunday when they host the Quakers of Guilford College in an ODAC contest at Foster Field in Virginia Beach, VA. Kick off between the Marlins and Quakers is set for 4:30 PM. Reminder no spectators are permitted to attend the home soccer matches host at Virginia Wesleyan.