KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Putting together a complete 90 minutes on the pitch this afternoon, Avila men's soccer picked up their first win of the season, 2-1, over Southwestern.

A quiet first half paved the way for an action-packed second half between the two KCAC foes. The teams began the second half scoreless, but it would take less than three minutes for both squads to add to the scoreboard.

Midway through the 48^th minute, Southwestern's Alexis Soriano headed the ball just out of Avila's Naguib Nassir's reach off a corner kick. The Moundbuilders had a 1-0 lead.

Avila answered back immediately.

Right off the ensuing kickoff, Avila lost possession of the ball, but captain Thad Chapman took control right back. After pressuring the Southwestern back line, he regained possession 10 yards from the net and buried the ball for his first goal of the season.

The Eagles have put together solid performances in KCAC play recently and have relied on experience and consistency throughout the roster.  

"This is our most consistent 11 that we've had in the last three or four games, so that helps a lot," noted eagles head coach Robert Kelly. "Everyone has been coming to practice with a positive attitude and continuing to work and be better."

The remainder of the second half was a hotly-contested affair, with six yellow cards given out between the two teams.

After the senior Chapman scored Avila's first goal, the Eagles looked to a younger member of the roster to put them ahead.

Off a free kick, Henry Coffie – immediately after being subbed into the game – controlled the ball to freshman Malachi Saffrey. The first-year player from Grandview, Mo., found a window and buried the ball in the back of the net for the first collegiate goal of his career.

A strong defensive and goalkeeping performance in the remaining 30 minutes gave Avila its first win of the season. A complete 90-minute game on both ends of the pitch paved the way for the Eagles.

"The biggest thing we've been harping on making sure we put together a full 45 in each half and that's what we did today," Kelly noted.

Avila improved to 1-10 on the season and will look to continue their winning ways on Saturday as they travel to Kansas Wesleyan at 4:30 PM.