OWENSBORO, KY. – The Kentucky Wesleyan College men's soccer team opened the much-anticipated 2025 season on Thursday evening with a non-conference match-up against the University of Missouri St. Louis. The Tritons and Panthers finished with a 1-1 draw in the season-opener.
Wesleyan was picked to finish seventh in the Great Midwest preseason coaches poll and this season feature a new back line, replacing the core that helped propel the Panthers to the G-MAC Title Game in 2024. The Tritons took advantage early with a goal less than five minutes into the match. UMSL took four shots in the opening period, two on goal.
Nicklas Henriksen took the first shot for the Panthers in the 33
rd minute. His attempt was saved by UMSL keeper, Jack Franklin at the bottom corner of the net. After a quick wave of subs, the Panthers took advantage of the new personnel on the field. The Captain
Haakon Torvbraaten feathered a tough pass through four Triton defenders, leading
Mattie McNally to the goal in the 39
th minute.
McNally eluded a sliding tackle at point blank range and got his shot to clear under the outstretched right-hand of Franklin to tie the match. The goal marks the first for the Panthers on the season and the first for McNally and his career.
The Panthers were on the attack for a majority of the second half and it started with Callum Nolan who took a shot on goal in the opening minute of the second period. A majority of the action took place on the UMSL side of the field the final 45 minutes. Wesleyan keeper
Iver Sjavag made two saves on the evening to preserve a 1-1 result.
The Panthers will be back in action Monday afternoon against Missouri Science and Technology. The match is scheduled to start at 1PM.
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