FAYETTEVILLE, N.C.  Methodist's men's soccer team kicked off its 2021 season in grand fashion Wednesday evening, notching a 1-0 non-conference victory over visiting Ferrum College after celebrating the official opening of The Nancy and Murray Duggins Soccer Stadium with the namesakes during a pre-game ceremony.

The Duggins' were on hand and cut a green and gold ribbon at midfield with both the men's and women's Monarch soccer teams flanking the ceremonial scissor-cutting.

The 200-plus fans in attendance were later able to celebrate a victory after freshman Truls Ballo one-timed a touch from Caleb Allen behind the Ferrum goalkeeper in the 80th minute for the only goal of the contest.

JUST THE FACTS
Final Score: Methodist def. Ferrum, 1-0
Records: Methodist 1-0, Ferrum 0-1
Location: Duggins Soccer Stadium; Fayetteville, N.C.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Methodist forced the attack throughout most of the first half, accumulating eight shots -- including a header off the crossbar -- to Ferrum's three. And Ferrum goalie William Winters was forced to come up with a pair of saves while Monarch netminder Cole Hupp never saw a Panther shot on frame in the first 45 minutes.
• Second-half action was tilted even more toward Winters in the Ferrum goal, with Methodist racking up 10 more shots to just 4 from Ferrum.
• Not until late in the half, though, were the Monarchs able to finally light up the scoreboard.
• A corner kick opportunity crossed to the back side of the frame, barely skimming the head of a leaping Panther defender before connecting with Caleb Allen, who one-timed a touch back across the goal mouth.
• Ballo was middle frame and in close, behind Winters who'd charged at Allen to cut down the angles, and also one-timed a touch that split the posts and found netting for his first collegiate goal.
• Two of Ferrum's four shots in the second half came after the Ballo marker, but both of those late Panther attempts sailed wide of the Methodist goal and Hupp, who needed to make only one save in the night, coming in the 48th minute, to earn the win.

GAME NOTES

• The Monarchs had a glaring superiority in possession, earning a 10-2 advantage in corner kick chances, an 18-7 advantage in total shots, and a 7-1 edge in shots on goal.
• Ferrum piled up 13 fouls and two yellow cards in the contest, to 8 and 1, respectively, by Methodist.

NEXT UP
The Monarchs will hit the road for Game 2 of the 2021 season, traveling to Brevard, N.C., on Saturday for a 4 p.m. non-conference contest against host Brevard College.