University of La Verne (Calif.) keeps Men's Soccer on heels; Crusaders drop season opener 2-0

IRVING, Texas - The University of Dallas men's soccer team (0-1) was defeated 2-0 by the University of La Verne (Calif.) Leopards on Friday afternoon at Crusader Field to open the 2011 season. 

6'1" junior goalkeeper James Kerin (East Greenwich, R.I./East Greenwich H.S.) received the starting nod between the pipes for head coach David Hoffmann's squad. Of note, Kerin has been a mainstay in outfield for Dallas Baseball the previous two seasons. His athleticism was quickly put to the test in his first game in net since high school. 

La Verne's Andrew Geenen was victim of an illegal slide tackle in the box by a Crusader defender, and promptly awarded a penalty kick. He converted on his attempt against a diving Kerin at 8:08, giving the Leopards an early 1-0 advantage. 

This score held into halftime and through a majority of the second half, but La Verne was able to tack on insurance and salt the game away with Fernando Almejo's goal at 85:34. 

For the game, La Verne totaled 21 shots to Dallas' 12, while putting eight on goal. 

Though Dallas had trouble generating much of an offensive attack, registering just one shot on goal, four Crusaders each had two shots apiece. They were freshman midfielder Juan Hernandez Reyes (The Woodlands, Texas/The Woodlands College Park H.S.), senior defender Derek Yoder (Houston, Texas/Tomball H.S.), sophomore midfielder Garrett Johnson, and senior midfielder Preston Waltrip (Derby, Kan./Derby H.S.). 

With a revamped lineup from a season ago, there seems to be a 'feeling out' process for a rather 'green' Dallas team. Two freshmen started -- Matthew Wise (Camas, Wash./Jesuit Portland) and Juan Hernandez Reyes, with two others being called upon for their services. Seven sophomores also played, meaning 11 of the 20 Crusaders were underclassmen. 

Next opponent: 

Dallas will look to even up the win-loss column when they meet on the 'pitch' with East Texas Baptist University in Marshall, Texas, at 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 6.