ANGWIN, Calif.  – The Joao Ehlers Era got off to a strong start on Thursday afternoon as the Bushnell Men's Soccer team took care of Pacific Union College on the road, 2-1 in the season opener for both schools.
 
Sophomore Forward Caleb Burke scored the game-winner for the Beacons as they claim a season-opening victory for the first time in six years.
 
Bushnell was out-shot by the Pioneers 12-4 in the game as freshman Keeper Diego Montes Carrera picked up six saves in goal in his collegiate debut.
 
Ehlers said, "Our guys had a fantastic performance. The condition of the field was not ideal for our style of play so we had to change our strategy for this game. We ended up using our center backs and center forward a lot."
 
The Beacons put the first score into the back of the net with just 40 seconds remaining in the first half. Jay Jay Van Der Velde sent a free-kick from 25-yards to the left side of the box where Isaiah Robles was waiting to head in the goal.
 
Pacific Union wasted little time in securing the equalizer, however, taking advantage of a difficult defensive clearance in the 47th minute to make it a 1-1 game.
 
Burke then came through again in the 69th minute, scoring on a header off a corner kick from freshman Michael Ho.
 
"We were able to create some chances and scored both of our goals from set pieces," said Ehlers. "We are very proud of this team and the effort they put in was outstanding."
 
Bushnell will be back in action on Friday afternoon, traveling east to Rocklin, California to take on William Jessup University at 2:00 pm.