KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Kicking off three hours earlier than originally scheduled due to heat in the Kansas City area, Avila men's soccer was up to the challenge for the 10 AM start on Saturday, topping Kansas Christian, 2-0 due in large part from a pair of goals from Johnathan Young and a shutout performance and an assist from goalkeeper Johnnathan Fager.

Both teams were expectedly lethargic coming out in the first half due to the morning kickoff and temperatures that were already approaching 90 degrees on the turf in south Kansas City.

In the 27^th minute, one of Avila's first promising attacks of the day ended with a Johnathan Young goal off a great feed from Beck Snowden. Midway through the first half, Avila would hold a 1-0 lead and wouldn't look back. The goal marked the first of Young's Avila career.

In the opening 45 minutes, Avila put up five corner kicks and 11 total shots – four shots on goal – but were only able to nab one goal and entered the break with a one-goal lead.

The Eagles showed more energy coming out of halftime, pressing on the attacking end and playing shutdown defense in front of Fager.

In the 55^th minute, Fager made a save and booted the ball downfield to get his attack going. On a perfect pass from the Eagle goalkeeper, Young once again put the ball in the back of the net, giving Avila a 2-0 lead for his second goal of the contest.

In 90 minutes of play, Fager and Young each put up one of the best performances of their collegiate careers, with the goalkeeper picking up the shutout with four saves and an assist on the offensive end and Young placing the ball in the back of the net twice.

Avila has a bit of time off before opening up conference play on Friday, hosting Bethany at 3:30 PM at The Z.