SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – For the first time since 2022, Avila men's soccer notched a win in its season opener, this year defeating Mission, 2-1.

With the match appearing to head for a tie, Beck Snowden found the back of the net with under 40 seconds remaining to send the Eagles back to Kansas City victorious.

Goalkeeper Harrison Ennis got his squad off to a strong start, allowing just one goal in 90 minutes while giving his attackers plenty of opportunities to pick up the win.

Both of Avila's goals came in the final seconds of their respective halves. Less than five seconds remained in the opening half before Avila drew a penalty kick.

Senior Malcolm Goswell stepped to the spot and buried the PK in his first opportunity of the season. The goal was Goswell's first since his sophomore campaign and his seventh goal with the Eagles.

Entering halftime, Avila held a 1-0 lead.

Mission secured the equalizer midway through the second half to tie the game at one.

Neither team had many opportunities during the remainder of regulation, with two shot attempts from the Eagles and a pair of corner kicks from the Patriots following their 66^th-minute goal.

With the clock ticking down, it was a pair of newcomers who helped get the Avila season off to a perfect start.

89:23 on the scoreboard, River Howard fed freshman Beck Snowden, who found the back of the net to put Avila ahead and give Robert Kelly's Eagles the final 2-1 victory.

It was the first goal and assist for both players in an Avila uniform, getting their Eagle careers off to a perfect start.

Avila will look to make it back-to-back wins on Wednesday with a crosstown rivalry at Park at 5:30.