YORK, Neb. – Avila men's soccer rebounded from a tough game earlier in the week by battling York to the bitter end, but the Panthers (1-9-1, 1-5-0 KCAC) were able to do just enough to eke out a 2-1 win over the Eagles (2-8-1, 1-4-1 KCAC) on Saturday afternoon in Nebraska.

Avila had only a few days to recover from facing the KCAC's top team, Oklahoma Wesleyan, before taking on a Panther team that defeated OKWU last year before falling on hard times in 2023. Still, this year's Panthers squad was clearly hungry on Saturday, and ultimately outlasted the Eagles to earn their first win.

Defenses ruled the day in this game. The teams combined for nine shot attempts, six of which went on goal, and three of which went in. Each team was only able to get one shot on target in the first half, and they both went in – goals from Alvaro Lizana in the 18^th minute and Ismaiel Cisse, his second in three games in his return to the lineup, in the 42^nd.

That was all the offense for either team until Miguel Sarubbi put Tabor in front for the second time about 20 minutes into the second half. From there, both defenses and goalkeepers locked it down even tighter. Vincent Escott was the only Eagle to force a save out of Breno Prado, and Johnathan Fager made a pair of stops in the second half to keep the Eagles in the game, but Avila could not overcome York in this physical battle – the teams combined for 32 fouls – leading the Panthers to a tight win.

Up next, Avila will make the trek west to Winfield, Kansas this Wednesday, October 4, to face off against Southwestern, a team currently in the bottom half of the conference standings. Women's soccer kicks off the doubleheader at 5:30 PM with the men to follow around 7:30; as always, you can watch all the action live on the KCAC Network.