NEWBERG, Ore. --- The George Fox University men's soccer team kicked off its season Wednesday night, as the Bruins hosted the University of La Verne in a non-conference match-up.

The first period was filled with excitement and nerves, as each side took the field for the first time in the 2015 season. Throughout the first half, both teams used aggressive ball handling and cheeky shots to give both starting goalies a run for their money. Although each side fired off 9 shots in the half, it would be the goalies who kept the game scoreless.

After intermission, both teams picked up from where they left off testing each other's back line. The Leopards found some room later on in the second after Javier Jasso delivered a well put pass just behind the Bruins' back line.  Nick Gonsalves used that pass to make a nice move pass Bruin' goalkeeper Noble Murray to put the game winner in the back of the net.

The Bruins wouldn't go down without a fight, though, and closed out the game with some very close calls.

The Leopards just out-shot the Bruins 18-12 and edged them by one in corners, 6-5.

George Fox falls to 0-1 on the season and will look to even up the record against Warner Pacific on Monday, September 7 at 6:00 p.m.