ST. CATHARINES, Ont. – A penalty kick in the second-half proved to be the difference as the Western Mustangs men's soccer team fell to the Brock Badgers by a 1-0 score in their season opener on Saturday afternoon.
 
While there may not have been many points on the scoreboard, there was more than enough action on the field as the two teams combined for six cards on the day.
 
The goalies experienced little activity in the first half with Western's Ben Cowman facing zero shots on goal while Brock's Matthew Zaikos faced three, all of which he stopped. The men continued to fight for a lead as the 20 minute mark saw Brock defender Steven Iamarino receive the first yellow card of the game, while minutes later Western's Chuka Ononye and Brock striker Noah Dino were also presented with yellow cards. 
 
The physical play continued into the second half with three more cards for the away team. In the 56th minute Western's Mark Serjeant was given a yellow card. Eight minutes later Aaron Schneebeli was given a red card, while Ononye was handed his second yellow of the game, resulting in him being sent off at the 75 minute mark.
 
Unfortunately for Western, Schneebeli's red card resulted in a penalty kick for the Brock Badgers, and Arsen Platis capitalized on the opportunity, giving the Badgers a 1-0 lead. Unfortunately for the purple and white faithful in attendance that would be the game's lone goal, giving Brock the 1-0 win.   
 
With their season opener now in the books the Mustangs will return home to face the Guelph Gryphons on Wednesday, September 2, at 6 p.m.