LACEY, Wash.  – The Northwest Christian University men's soccer team dominated most of the pace of play in their opening game on Tuesday evening, but a pair of missteps led to a 2-1 loss to Saint Martin's University.
 
The Saints scored quickly, causing a turnover in the NCU backfield as play began and scoring just 19 seconds into the game.
 
The rude awaking put a little fire under the Beacons who controlled the final 44 minutes and 41 seconds of the first half. NCU eventually tied the game in the 28th minute when freshman Rafael Alves Dos Santos (pictured) fired home his first collegiate goal from the middle of the box ten yards out.
 
The Beacons held a 5-3 advantage in shots at the intermission and had taken three shots-on-goal. The second half proved to be much of the same up until the 70th minute when a wrong decision led to the Saints game-winner.
 
When all was said and done, the Beacons owned a 9-7 advantage in shots and a 3-1 edge in corner kicks.
 
NCU will take the next ten days to prepare for their home opener, hosting Sierra Nevada College on September 2 at 4:30 pm.