The 2009 Olivet Nazarene University Men's soccer team started the season off on a very good note winning its home opener over a solid Davenport University (Mich.) team 2-0, going to 1-0 after its season opener. The Panthers played tough and didn't give the Tigers many easy chances throughout. The Tigers would finally net two goals in the second half to win the game.
However, after the second half started it take long for the Tigers to pounce on Davenport and take control of the match. After only 4:04 was played in the half, senior Jose Villa (West Chicago, Ill.) placed a corner kick in the 6' box and junior Machel Cromwell (La Horquetta, Trinidad and Tobago) finished to put ONU up 1-0. Just 39 seconds later senior Vincent Mkhwanazi (Soweto, South Africa) scored from 35 yards out to put the Tigers up 2-0. ONU would fend off the Panthers for the next 40 minutes to complete the win.
The Tigers outshot the Panthers 12 to eight. Olivet had four corner kicks to Davenport's two, and ONU and DU had 16 and 15 fouls respectively. Goalie Matt Walker (Grand Blanc, Mich.) had five saves and got the shut-out.
The Tiger's will continue play next Tuesday, September 1st as they play host to Cornerstone University (Mich.). Gametime is slotted for 4:00 p.m.