MARSHALL, Texas - The Austin College men's soccer team started the year off strong with a 2-1 road victory over East Texas Baptist on Friday night, getting a pair of first half goals and holding off a comeback bid by the Tigers in the final 45 minutes.

Austin College got on the board 27 minutes in after Maxwell Mundorff played a ball across the box to Sam Spencer, who found the back of the net to make it a 1-0 game, and the 'Roos would strike again in the 37th minute of action when Louis Catchpole tallied to make it 2-0. That's how the match would stand heading into halftime, as the 'Roos managed just three first half shots compared to only two from ETBU, but that was enough to provide a big halftime cushion.

The 'Roos would need that cushion, as well, as ETBU cut the margin in half in the 86th minute to make it 2-1 and drew a penalty kick two minutes later, but 'Roo keeper Everardo Garza made a clutch stop to help preserve the win for Austin College and head coach Taylor Goyen. Garza finished with five saves, as ETBU out-shot the 'Roos 7-2 in the second frame to finish with a 9-5 advantage.

Austin College is back in action for the team's first home match of the season on Monday, playing host to LeTourneau at 8:00 p.m.